Israeli Intel Sees Iran's New Leaders as More Extreme

Israeli intelligence officials have assessed that Iran's new leadership, emerging from the recent US-Israeli military campaign, is more ideologically extreme than its predecessor, complicating prospects for de-escalation in the ongoing regional conflict.

The assessment was presented during a closed-door briefing by Israel Defense Forces representatives to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Thursday, one day after US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran. Sources familiar with the briefing confirmed that the new Iranian leadership draws heavily from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, described as more rigid and less amenable to diplomatic overtures compared to the previous political figures. Lawmakers were informed that while Israel achieved significant military successes, including the destruction of large portions of Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile infrastructure, and naval assets, Tehran is already working to rebuild its capabilities.

The campaign began on February 28 with joint US-Israeli airstrikes aimed at degrading Iran's military threats and creating conditions for internal regime change. Over several weeks, the...