(DCNF)—As President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flirt with the idea of assassinating Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, experts warned the Daily Caller News Foundation that such a decision could throw the situation into a new level of uncertainty.
Trump and Netanyahu have left the door open for an assassination on the Supreme Leader, with Trump saying Tuesday on Truth Social that he was aware of the location of the supreme leader if the U.S. or Israel want to kill Khamenei. The Ayatollah’s killing could possibly improve the chances of Iran capitulating but also could signal to Iran that Israel’s war with Tehran is more about regime change than denuclearization, experts told the DCNF.
“If you actually have such an assassination, it kind of signals to the Iranians that this is certainly not about the nuclear program, but this is a much broader regime collapse, regime change, type of a campaign,” Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, told the DCNF.
Upon the death of a supreme leader, Iran would have to select a new leader through the Assembly of Experts, a group of 88 senior clerics under the state religion of Shia Islam. The real process for selecting the new lifetime leader of the nation, however, is often determined in advance behind closed doors.
There are disparate rumors as to who would succeed Khamenei, but his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is a likely candidate given his political power and his grooming for leadership under his father’s tutelage. Leaders from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who are fiercely loyal to the supreme leader and his office, may emerge to mount a challenge to the proverbial throne, Cliff May, president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told the DCNF.
“There may be high officials in the IRGC who think: ‘Really, I should be in power. I mean, I’m going to be loyal to the ayatollah, of course, but after him it should be me,’” May told the DCNF. “This is more complicated now than it was two weeks ago because a lot of IRGC leaders have been killed, and many more may be killed before this is over.”
In an X post Wednesday, Khamenei said Iran would not surrender to Israel or the U.S., adding he was not “frightened by such threats.” He also said he would strike U.S. military bases in the region if America took any offensive military action against the Islamic Republic.
A decision to assassinate the political and religious leader of 93 million Iranians is certainly an option that would require intense deliberation from Israel and the U.S., May told the DCNF.
“I say it’s a serious option because my guess is that Israeli intelligence is pretty good, and they probably have a pretty good idea where Ali Khamenei is,” May told the DCNF. “I know the cost-benefit is something that they are sitting down and trying to say, ‘OK, here are the pluses. Here are the minuses for us doing it.’ In other words, I don’t know that the decision has been made either by the Israelis or by the White House to take him out.”
The ayatollah’s assassination would likely prompt a military response from the regime, as Tehran launched retaliatory strikes when Trump assassinated IRGC Gen. Qasem Soleimani on Iraqi soil in 2020. Those strikes netted zero deaths of U.S. personnel, although there were 100 reported cases of traumatic brain injuries from the bombardment.
Trump is unlikely to take another attack on U.S. bases lying down if a hypothetical assassination leads to further escalation, May told the DCNF.
“Trump might say ‘OK, your militias are hitting our bases. I’m sorry, I’m not gonna let that go unanswered,’” May told the DCNF. “So that’s not a great thing for them. In the meantime, every day, their military capabilities are being weakened.”
Iran also risks complete collapse if the ayatollah is killed, given the nature of the regime relying on revolutionary ideals to justify its existence, Zineb Riboua, research fellow at the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East in the Hudson Institute, told the DCNF.
“The Islamic Republic is a revolutionary regime. It feeds on the narrative that it is a revolution that needs to be exported and that Iran is the surrogate for a successful revolution that will go from the Middle East to Africa,” Riboua told the DCNF. “And I think because of what the Israelis have done, they’ve completely shattered this illusion.”
Riboua added that while retaliation would be likely, Iran’s capacity to attack the U.S. or Israel is considerably diminished from the past due to the degradation of its own capabilities.
The White House and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
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Three Reasons a Coffee Gift Set From This Christian Company Is Perfect for Christmas
When you’re searching for a Christmas gift that’s meaningful, useful, and rooted in faith, you don’t want to settle for anything generic. This season is filled with noise — mass-produced products, last-minute picks, and trends that fade as quickly as they appear. But one gift stands apart because it blends genuine quality with a message that matters: a coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee.
This small Christian-owned company has become a favorite among believers who want to support faith-driven businesses while giving friends and family something they’ll actually enjoy. Here are three reasons a Promised Grounds Coffee gift set may be the most thoughtful and impactful present you give this year.
1. It’s Truly Delicious Coffee
Too many “gift-worthy” coffees look beautiful in the package but disappoint when the cup is poured. Promised Grounds takes the opposite approach — exceptional taste first, thoughtful presentation second.
Their beans are sourced with care, roasted in small batches, and crafted to bring out a rich, smooth flavor profile that appeals to both casual drinkers and true coffee lovers. Whether someone enjoys bold, dark roasts or lighter, more delicate blends, every sip reflects quality that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest specialty brands.
Simply put: this coffee is good. Really good. Some say it’s absolutely fantastic. If you want a gift that won’t be re-gifted, ignored, or shoved in a cabinet, this is it.
2. It Spreads the Word While Serving a Real Purpose
There are many Christian gifts that are meaningful… but not exactly practical. There are also useful gifts that have nothing to do with faith. Promised Grounds Coffee bridges both worlds beautifully.
Each gift set delivers an encouraging, faith-centered message through its packaging and presentation — a simple but powerful reminder of God’s goodness during the Christmas season. The cups are especially popular and serve as a daily reminder of the blessings from our Lord. At the same time, the product itself is something people will actually use and appreciate every single day.
It’s a gift that uplifts the spirit and fills the mug. A gift that points loved ones toward Scripture while still being part of the normal rhythm of life. And in a culture that increasingly pushes faith to the margins, giving a gift that quietly but confidently honors Christ can make a deeper impact than you might expect.
3. It’s Affordable, Valuable, and Elegantly Presented
Many people want to give something meaningful without breaking their Christmas budget. Promised Grounds Coffee strikes that perfect balance — the sets look and feel premium, but the price remains accessible.
The packaging is classy, clean, and gift-ready, making it ideal for:
- Family members of all ages
- Co-workers or employees
- Church friends or small-group leaders
- Hosts, neighbors, and last-minute gift needs
It’s the kind of gift that feels more expensive than it is — and more thoughtful than most of what you’ll find on store shelves.
The Perfect Blend of Faith, Flavor, and Christmas Cheer
A coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee checks every box: a gift that tastes amazing, conveys your faith, supports a Christian business, and brings daily enjoyment to the person who receives it. In a season when so many gifts are forgotten, this one stands out for all the right reasons.
If you want a Christmas present that reflects your values and delivers genuine joy, Promised Grounds Coffee is the perfect place to start.