Who is calling the shots in Iran amid the deadly war with the US?

Amid a deadly war with the US, Iran’s leadership faces questions about who is in charge, particularly after the assassination of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. US President Donald Trump claimed, “Nobody knows who is in charge, including them.” However, Iranian authorities reject this portrayal, emphasizing a unified stance on maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz. A clique of military and security commanders, including Ahmad Vahidi and Ali Abdollahi, have shown a united front, choosing to resume fighting rather than backing down. Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, acts as a key institutional coordinator, advocating for negotiation only from a position of military leverage. President Masoud Pezeshkian, despite technically heading the security council, has weaker influence compared to the military elite, though he publicly stated, “Not only do I not consider myself to be separate from military commanders, but I will defend them strongly and consider it my honour.” Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the former Supreme Leader, now holds the mantle of authority but does not wield the same absolute power as his father.