Hardline military figures appear poised to seize power in Iran after ayatollah's death

Iran's political future seems to be consolidating under a group of hardline military figures in the wake of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death. The Economist reports that new propaganda posters in Tehran, featuring seven prominent men, signal a shift away from religious leadership.

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Five of the men wear uniforms. Only one of them wears a turban, which indicates that it is a religious leader.

Notably absent from these displays is Mojtaba Khamenei, the designated successor and son of the former leader, who has not appeared publicly since his appointment. The posters also lack traditional religious symbols, with five of the seven men depicted in military uniform and only one wearing a turban, indicating religious authority. This visual emphasis suggests a move towards a military dictatorship rather than a religious one.

The new leadership is reportedly prioritizing security and repression, with a resurgence of public executions of protesters and the return of the morality police to Tehran's streets. This internal focus may be accompanied by a hardline foreign policy, aiming to expel the United States from the Middle East. This stance contrasts with more pragmatic figures, such as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bager Ghalibaf, who previously played a role in negotiating agreements with the U.S.

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The goal is to transform the country's rule from a religious dictatorship to a military dictatorship.

Among the key figures highlighted is Mohsen Rezaei, the nation's security chief and former head of the Revolutionary Guard, who has a history of leading the guard through the Iran-Iraq War. Also prominent is Ahmad Vahidi, the current commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Guard, known for his role in suppressing women's rights and founding the Quds Force. While these generals may seek economic relief through potential deals with the U.S., they reportedly believe such agreements will only hold if the U.S. is kept under pressure.

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The generals' attitude is that isolation would kill the country, according to an observer. At the same time, they believe that an agreement with the USA will never hold if the USA is not put under pressure.