The Intelligence from The Economist War with Iran: Middle East in flames
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Mar 2, 2026 
Gareth Browne, Dubai-based reporter who filed a vivid first-person dispatch. Gregg Carlstrom, regional correspondent tracking Gulf responses and escalation. Nicolas Pelham, on-the-ground analyst of Iran and its leadership. They discuss Iran’s leadership loss and succession. They describe missile and drone strikes across the Gulf. They outline how Gulf states are reacting to unprecedented instability.
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Khamenei's Death Shifts Power Without Toppling The Regime
- Killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is a huge blow but did not instantly dissolve Iran's power structures.
- Several senior commanders and ministers were also killed, leaving power more diffuse and regional commanders acting sporadically.
Preplanned Succession Keeps Iran's Ship Afloat
- The Islamic Republic activated a constitutional interregnum led by a temporary leadership council to manage succession.
- Arafi and other pre-planned successors and new IRGC leadership like Vahidi were quickly positioned to keep the state functioning.
Iran's Retaliation Aims To Spread The Pain Regionwide
- Iran responded by striking broadly across its western borders and the Gulf to signal it would bring the region down with it.
- Targets included US bases, Israel, hotels and oil installations as part of a lash-out strategy.