Hardline IRGC Circle Holds Power as Iran War Expands Across the Region

ISW-CTP's March 16 update says Mojtaba Khamenei remains surrounded by long-time IRGC hardliners, likely pushing harder anti-Western policies and tightening internal information control. US-Israeli air campaigns are reaching deep inside Iran, striking drone facilities and defense-industrial sites, while Tehran responds with missiles and drones against Israel and Gulf states. The fight has spread to Iraqi militias and Hezbollah, with Israel conducting operations in Lebanon; Iran's ability to retaliate is being constrained by ongoing strikes on air defenses and security forces, and the regime seeks to pressure the US and Gulf states as domestic securitization intensifies.