Iran on the Brink: Who Could Rule if the Regime Falls?

• Massive protests across Iran challenge Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's rule, marking the first real threat since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
• Economic crisis, hyperinflation, and alienated elites contribute to conditions for a potential revolution, as per The Atlantic.
• Opposition is broadly united across socioeconomic lines, pushing a nationalist narrative against clerical rule.
• Potential successors include Reza Pahlavi (son of the former Shah), former President Hassan Rouhani, other diplomats, or security forces like the IRGC.
• Security forces, particularly the IRGC, remain cohesive and loyal, posing a significant hurdle to a successful revolution.

Why It Matters: Iran faces a critical juncture with widespread protests and potential regime change, but the path forward is uncertain.