“But Iran can no longer afford these proxies he commanded.
They work for money and Iran’s broke.”
Changes nothing about what the Mullahs thought and felt about the Quds Force general. He was very creative at building their networks across the Middle East and likely got for more, per dollar, for whatever they spent than we do, in terms of support within populations across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and elsewhere.
I think “set up” is too strong.
But he wasn’t of near the value he used to be to them.
And was a distinct liability.
So, at least, it wasn’t as much of a risk to take him out as it had been.