Thousands of protesters in Iran are reportedly chanting "death to the dictator" as the United States threatens military action to bring about regime change. Despite these pressures, Iran's clerical establishment maintains its grip on power through a shadow state structure called "Bayt" - the Supreme Leader's office designed to survive its own creator. The system, described in a report by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), represents a complex network with thousands of employees reaching every corner of society.
Ali Khamenei, the 86-year-old Supreme Leader who has increasingly avoided public appearances since the 12-day war with Israel in summer 2025, is rumored to be weakened. However, experts caution that regime change is not imminent. "Khamenei is the most important person, but he is not the system," said Saeid Golkar, a researcher at UANI.
Khamenei is the most important person, but he is not the system
The Bayt structure places representatives in every political department to ensure decisions follow the ayatollah's line, infiltrates universities to purge dissenting academics, and maintains military control through the powerful Revolutionary Guards by requiring promotions based on loyalty to the leader. According to UANI, the power structure can only be weakened through a combination of sanctions, cyber operations, and military attacks targeting the entire elite layer.