7am Trump’s Iran war: regime change or regime chaos?
Mar 1, 2026
Dr Bader Mousa Al-Saif, Gulf politics expert and history professor at Kuwait University, gives a concise take on Iran and regional power shifts. He describes on-the-ground tensions in Kuwait and the impact of Khamenei's death. He discusses succession uncertainty, the role of the IRGC, prospects for US-led regime change, and how Gulf states might respond to escalating strikes.
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Kuwait Felt Immediate Civilian Threats
- Kuwait experienced repeated sirens and nearby missile debris during initial strikes, illustrating civilian peril.
- Bader Mousa Al-Saif recounts a missile part landing ten minutes from his location and the fragility in a small state like Kuwait.
Khamenei's Death Could Reshape Regional Power
- Ayatollah Khamenei's death is a major, potentially transformative event for the Middle East with wide-reaching consequences.
- Bader Mousa Al-Saif notes Khamenei guided Iran since 1989 and his removal raises questions about succession, IRGC control, and possible reset or continuation of current policies.
Iran Built Influence Through Proxy Networks
- Iran's regional influence grew by investing in proxy networks across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen instead of focusing inward.
- Bader Mousa Al-Saif highlights Iran's export-of-revolution strategy that created long-term regional instability.