"Iranian state media showed large crowds in several cities rallying behind the new leader, waving Iranian flags and holding portraits of his father Ali Khamenei, killed by an Israeli strike on the war's first day. In Isfahan, state TV reported the sound of nearby explosions from apparent airstrikes as loyalists gathered in the historic Imam Square, chanting 'God is the Greatest' below a stage with portraits of Ali and Mojtaba Khamenei."
"Mr Trump told NBC News that Iran's leaders made a 'big mistake' by elevating Mr Khamenei, but predicted the war could be over before the timeline of four to five weeks he had earlier laid out. 'I think the war is very complete, pretty much. They have no navy, no communications, they've got no air force,' Mr Trump told CBS News."
"In a further sign of defiance, Iran's military said it would step up its missile strikes. Politicians and institutions issued pledges of loyalty to the new supreme leader, whose wife, son and mother also died at the start of the US-Israeli air onslaught, according to Iranian state media. 'We will obey the commander-in-chief until the last drop of our blood,' a defence council statement said."
Mojtaba Khamenei, a 56-year-old Shia cleric with security force backing, has been elevated to Iran's supreme leader following his father Ali Khamenei's death in an Israeli strike. Large crowds gathered across Iranian cities to support the succession, waving flags and chanting in defiance. Trump declared the new leader unacceptable and demanded Iran's unconditional surrender, though predicted the conflict could end within weeks. Iran's military responded by pledging escalated missile strikes. Government officials issued loyalty pledges, while Iranian citizens expressed divided opinions—supporters viewing the appointment as defiance against enemies, opponents fearing it would prevent democratic change. Global markets experienced significant volatility amid conflicting signals about sanctions and military developments.
#iran-leadership-succession #geopolitical-tensions #market-volatility #military-escalation #international-conflict
Read at Irish Independent
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