Iran Chooses New Supreme Leader as Middle East War Widens
Iran has chosen a new supreme leader to replace Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes. But the war these strikes have set off isn't ending, and is even moving deep into countries that weren't originally involved.
Iran Names New Supreme Leader After Strikes
REPORTER:
The moment Iranian state TV announces the country’s new Supreme Leader: Mojtaba Khamenei. He’s the son of the last Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, killed as the US and Israel launched a campaign of strikes on Iran last week.
Government supporters on the streets of Tehran welcomed the decision.
BITE:
It was a profound happiness. We truly didn't know whether to mourn the loss of our leader, or rejoice at the selection of the new leader. Mr. Mojtaba is very much like his father. Of all the possible candidates, he was the most deserving and the one most similar [to the late leader].
REPORTER:
Chants calling for the new leader’s death quickly started echoing around this Tehran neighborhood in this footage geolocated by AFP.
The choice of the younger Khamenei is seen as an act of defiance against the US and Israel, and he’s expected to carry on the hardline policies of his father.
BITE:
I think the hope had been that there might be someone who would become the leader, who would be a bit more pragmatic, might signal a willingness to give up on the nuclear program, to stop arming these murderous proxies in the region, and to stand down on its missile program. And that does not appear to be the case right now.
REPORTER:
He will have to adjust to the role quickly, as US and Israeli strikes on Iran continue. Israel says it hit fuel stores and refineries over the weekend. On Sunday, dark clouds of smoke could be seen over the Shahran Oil Depot in Tehran.
For now, though, Iran doesn’t show signs of slowing down its counterattacks, either. In this central Israel neighborhood, crowds inspect the damage after a missile attack Sunday.
Meanwhile, at least seven US service members have been killed, as opposition to the war grows back home. For now, a full-scale invasion of Iran seems off the table—at least that’s what US President Donald Trump said over the weekend:
Donald Trump (US PRESIDENT):
I don't even want to talk about it now. I mean, I don't think it's an appropriate question. You know, I'm not going to answer it. Could there be? Possibly for very good reason. Have to, have to be a very good reason.
REPORTER:
Still, a week of strikes has unleashed a regional war in which few countries are untouched.
There’s deep fear in Lebanon, Israel’s northern neighbor, and home to Iranian proxy Hezbollah. Israel has invaded the country’s south and told civilians to evacuate large parts. More than half a million are displaced as strikes hit places like this town.
And so, hopes for a speedy end to the fighting look likely to be dashed. Israel’s military chief of staff saying Sunday that war with Iran will take a long time. The death toll, already at around 1,700, is set to grow, and the destruction to continue.
