Israel Keeps Killing Key Iranian Leaders. Will It Work?

Israel has conducted airstrikes killing Iran's de facto leader and commanders of a militia group known for crushing domestic protests, with Israeli officials publicly highlighting these operations. The targeted killings represent an escalation in Israel's strategy of eliminating key Iranian leadership and their security apparatus. However, analysts question whether decapitation—removing top leaders through targeted strikes—can achieve lasting strategic results against Iran's deeply entrenched power structure and succession mechanisms. The operations underscore an intensifying Israeli campaign against Iranian military and political targets, though experts warn such strikes have historically faced limitations in achieving broader geopolitical objectives. The strikes come amid broader regional tensions and raise questions about whether eliminating individual leaders can fundamentally alter Iran's institutional capacity to threaten Israeli interests.