Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Archives | Washington Monthly

Open Season: The assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the outset of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran sets a dangerous precedent. Here, A poster of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and an anti-U.S. placard are carried in Tehran, Iran, April 1, 2026.

Law and Justice

Amid War in Mideast, Lingering Questions Over Killing Iran’s Leader

by James D. Zirin April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

Assassination isn’t illegal under U.S. law, but don’t tell Trump. A legal primer.

Legality Lacking: “Normal international relations” are impossible if a head of state can be murdered whenever another head of state feels like it. Here, an Iranian flag is placed among the ruins of a police station struck Monday during the U.S.–Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

All the Ways Trump’s War on Iran Is Disastrous

by Bill Scher March 3, 2026March 3, 2026

We should be deeply disturbed about what follows the targeted assassination of a foreign leader.