If I had to guess, Khomeini discovered the limits of his emortality; whether any of his metahuman inner circle survived depends on whether they heeded the Eye's warnings. And Bob, please check the first item under "1999" on the timeline before you start worrying that you're making things too simple.
BELATED EDIT to remove things redundant with Bob's post, and to reply to him.
BELATED EDIT to remove things redundant with Bob's post, and to reply to him.