After weeks of buildup, the United States and Israel have attacked Iran, killing long-time leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. How will the downfall of his regime reverberate throughout the Middle East and beyond?  Former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove and journalist Kate McCann (Political Editor at Times Radio) dive into the questions around the decision to strike Iran, what the death of Khamenei means for Iran’s future, and whether Iranian proxies in the region like Hezbollah have the strength to aid in retaliation. Plus: Does China have a reason to step in and help Iran? Should Russian President Vladimir Putin be concerned that he’s lost an ally, or emboldened because of the United States’ split attention? What will the UK’s involvement be in supporting the US and Israel in this conflict? In this episode: 01:37 - The decision behind killing Khamenei 03:43 - Ramifications of turning Khamenei into a martyr 06:32 - Why a popular uprising in Iran is unlikely 08:50 - Starlink and the information war 10:25 - How the Ayatollah’s downfall may be the death knell for Iran’s regional proxies 12:28 - Who backs Iran now? 13:51 - Will China be a mediator? 15:48 - Putin’s lost an ally 19:18 - Consequences of Starmer’s hesitancy 22:36 - The lethal combination of Israeli HUMINT and the CIA’s advanced surveillance Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and journalist Kate McCann (Political Editor at Times Radio). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices