As the US weighs joining Israel’s assault on Iran, questions are mounting over whether such an intervention could trigger regime change in Tehran – an outcome that risks splintering the country and sending shockwaves across the region.

Over the next three decades, Khamenei turned Iran around into as assertive power wielding influence across the Middle East. One major boost was the U.S.’s 2003 ouster of Saddam Hussein, which eventually brought Iranian-allied Shiite politicians and militias to power in Iraq.

Over the past week, Israel has pummeled Iran with airstrikes and Iran has sent barrages of ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel. At least 24 people in Israel and 224 people in Iran have been killed in attacks since June 13, their governments have reported.