FDD SITREP: The Islamic Republic Is Falling

About this episode

Mark Dubowitz discusses the implications of the death of Khamenei and the subsequent military actions against Iran.

Bonus Episode of The Iran Breakdown: Mark Dubowitz joins FDD's Jonathan Schanzer and Rich Goldberg for a late night FDD SITREP following the death of Khamenei. --- In the early hours of February 28, the United States and Israel launched a coordinated military campaign against the Iranian regime—Washington calling it “Operation Epic Fury,” Israel calling it “Operation Lion’s Roar.” Strikes hit sites across Iran, targeting ballistic missile infrastructure, IRGC facilities, intelligence headquarters, and senior regime leadership. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead. President Trump confirmed his elimination on February 28: “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead.” U.S. officials told Fox News that the strikes were moved up after intelligence revealed Khamenei and dozens of senior Iranian officials were meeting at his compound. Among those killed: Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani, IRGC Chief Mohammad Pakpour, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, and multiple other senior military and intelligence figures. Iran has retaliated. A ballistic missile penetrated Israeli air defenses and struck a residential building in central Tel Aviv, killing at least one woman…

People in this episode

Host: Mark Dubowitz

Guests: Jonathan Schanzer, Rich Goldberg

Topics covered

• Iran
• military operations
• political upheaval
• Middle East conflict
• U.S.-Israel relations
• leadership changes

Keywords

• Khamenei
• Iran
• military strikes
• U.S.
• Israel
• Operation Epic Fury
• Operation Lion’s Roar
• retaliation
• Middle East
• political crisis

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: United States, Israel, IRGC, Fox News

Places: Iran, Tel Aviv, Bahrain, Dubai, Syria

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• The Iran Deal - What Trump Got, What Iran Got, and What Comes Next (feat. Richard Goldberg) · May 26, 2026 · 1h 0m
• The Iran Ceasefire Didn't End the Battle for Hormuz (feat. Aaron MacLean) · May 14, 2026 · 1h 6m
• Winning the Iran War — Whether Washington Knows It or Not · May 4, 2026 · 20 min