Retired four-star General David Petraeus, a former CIA director, discussed the potential ramifications of the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials. In an interview on March 2, Petraeus acknowledged the US's frank reporting of its military achievements and losses, including four soldiers and three F-15s. He emphasized that the true impact on Iran's internal power balance remains uncertain until a successor is identified, noting that the constitution outlines an interim council and the Assembly of Experts' role in selecting a new leader. Petraeus highlighted the disruption caused by the deaths of numerous significant regime figures, impacting their coordination capabilities, and suggested that US strategy aims to create conditions for internal Iranian change, though its realism is yet to be determined.