Khamenei looks to the past for route to regime survival

Iran leader faces rising discontent, battered economy and scrutiny

- Gulf News Report

For nearly four decades, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has defined his rule through opposition to the US and Israel.

That strategy reached a crisis point last month when Israel launched heavy air strikes across Iran, including Tehran, killing over 1,000 people and eliminating key figures.

The Supreme Leader survived, but his regime emerged weakened, according to a Bloomberg report.

Khamenei now faces rising domestic discontent, a battered economy, and growing scrutiny over his leadership.

Foad Izadi, associate professor at the University of Tehran, says, "Khamenei as the leader is responsible to make sure Iran continues to live. He's said that all types of measures will be looked at to make sure this happens."

Pivot toward national unity

Signs suggest Khamenei is adjusting. He appeared publicly for the first time since the attacks, requesting a mix of a nationalist anthem and Shiite mourning chants - a symbolic pivot toward national unity.