NEW YORK (AP) — Mosab Hassan Yousef, the Palestinian-born author and former Israeli informant, caught many by surprise on Saturday when he questioned the impact of killing Iran’s supreme leader.

In a social media post, Yousef wrote, “Killing the Ayatollah won’t kill the regime. We’re just one step closer to chaos, and maybe civil war, in Iran.”

The post drew a flood of responses from followers expressing astonishment at his lack of support for the U.S. and Israeli strikes, given his longstanding record as a fierce critic of Iran and a defender of Israel.

Yousef, who worked covertly for Israel’s Shin Bet in the 1990s and later wrote the memoir Son of Hamas, has often taken bold positions on Middle East conflicts, but many were taken aback by his warning that military action could destabilize Iran rather than topple its leadership.

Killing the Ayatollah won’t kill the regime. We’re just one step closer to chaos, and maybe civil war, in Iran.

— Mosab Hassan Yousef (@MosabHasanYOSEF) February 28, 2026

I wanted him gone a long time ago—but not as part of regime change.

Ayatollah’s out. Now what? One million+ armed fanatics ready to kill civilians just to stay in power.

Toppling the regime is reckless without a real alternative.

Dreamers think some self-proclaimed king will…

— Mosab Hassan Yousef (@MosabHasanYOSEF) February 28, 2026

A million Iranians can come protest in 1 day in Munich, Toronto and LA etc but hey let’s all listen to 1 Palestinian what’s best for Iran guys.

So glad Netanyahu doesn’t listen to you and neither will our crown prince Reza Pahlavi.

No offense lil bro. pic.twitter.com/E3YAktTFX7

— Nima Yamini (@NimaYamini) February 28, 2026