The article reports on the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei through American-Israeli airstrikes, which has led to a swift retaliation from Iran's Revolutionary Guard, launching dozens of attacks against Israeli and U.S. installations in the Middle East. In response to these attacks, former President Donald Trump issued warnings to Iran on Truth Social, stating that should further retaliation occur, the U.S. would respond with unprecedented force until peace is established in the region. This escalation signals a worrying increase in hostilities between the nations involved.

Raphael Geiger, a correspondent for SZ, argues against the notion propagated by Israeli officials that this was a preemptive strike, describing it rather as a conflict that Netanyahu and Trump seem to have prompted intentionally. The narrative suggests a strategic alliance between the two leaders in pursuing aggressive actions against Iran, raising concerns about the implications of this partnership for regional stability.

Geiger further assesses the likelihood of the Iranian regime's swift collapse, contrasting it with the situation in Syria, where the regime fell quickly. He expresses skepticism regarding the immediate fall of the Iranian government, suggesting that it will likely maintain its grip on power for the foreseeable future despite the ongoing violence and turmoil. This perspective highlights the complex dynamics in the region and the potential for a prolonged conflict fueled by external influences.