Report: Decision making in Tehran hampered, even if regime still standing after decapitation of leaders

31 March 2026, 6:56 am

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The US-Israeli decapitation of Iran’s leadership since the outbreak of the war has hampered Tehran’s ability to make decisions and coordinate major retaliatory attacks, The New York Times reports, citing unnamed officials familiar with US and Western intelligence assessments.

The killing of dozens of Iranian leaders also complicates Washington’s efforts to negotiate with the officials in Tehran who remain, NYT says, adding that Iran’s negotiators may have little knowledge about what their government is willing to concede.

American officials tell The Times that the assassinations have led to the further empowering of hardliners from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.