A leading expert, Ali Soufan, an ex-FBI agent and Middle East specialist, has warned that President Donald Trump's evaluation of Iran is significantly flawed. In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Soufan pointed out that even if Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were killed, it would not necessarily lead to the collapse of the Iranian regime. He emphasized that Iran's rapid and coordinated escalation of military and political strategies indicates the regime's leadership and control are still firmly in place, countering the expectations set by U.S. officials.

The commentary from Soufan suggests that the U.S. administration originally anticipated that overthrowing Iran’s government would be a swift operation, lasting just four days. However, current assessments indicate that the situation may extend much longer, with President Trump now estimating a duration of four weeks. This stark contrast highlights a significant misalignment between the Trump administration's expectations and the reality on the ground, especially amid escalating tensions and military actions in the region.

Soufan further elaborated that Iran is aware it cannot defeat U.S. military operations directly; however, the Iranian leadership maintains confidence in its ability to withstand these challenges and believes it can deter attacks from the U.S., Israel, and their regional allies through strategic economic and political responses. This scenario reflects the complexities inherent in U.S.-Iran relations and the broader geopolitical implications of such interactions, potentially leading to prolonged conflict and instability in the region.