New Delhi, March 13 -- The killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the swift succession of a new leader in Iran have intensified global concerns over the evolving dynamics of the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, with Comfort Ekhause Ero, President, International Crisis Group, warning that the developments could significantly alter Tehran's escalation strategy and decision-making calculus.

Ero, who has been monitoring the conflict closely, says the current phase of the war reflects long-term strategic planning by Iran, particularly following last year's 12-day confrontation involving Iran, the United States and Israel. The conflict, she argues, had already laid the groundwork for a broader regional confrontati...