DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Mojtaba Khamenei, a son of Iran’s late supreme leader, has been named his successor, Iranian state TV introduced early Monday, because the struggle that started just a little over per week in the past together with his father’s killing took a dramatic flip.
The youthful Khamenei, who had not been seen or heard from publicly because the struggle began, had lengthy been thought-about a contender for the publish, even earlier than an Israeli strike killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and regardless of by no means being elected or appointed to a authorities place.
His appointment got here after indicators of a rift amongst Iranian officers because the nation awaited a call by the Assembly of Experts, a gaggle of clerics that selects the supreme chief. State TV learn an announcement from the meeting saying he was chosen primarily based on “strong” votes and urging the nation to unite behind him. The station broadcast scenes of individuals celebrating in components of Tehran.
There has been just one different switch of energy within the workplace of supreme chief because the Islamic Revolution virtually a half-century in the past.
A secretive determine, the 56-year-old Khamenei now stands on the coronary heart of Iran’s theocracy and can have closing say over all issues of state. He will function commander-in-chief of the army and highly effective paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. He additionally has authority over a stockpile of extremely enriched uranium that could possibly be used to construct a nuclear weapon, if he chooses to decree it.
The choice of Khamenei faces the probability of U.S. criticism. “Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me,” U.S. President Donald Trump has stated. “We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”
The White House didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. Trump instructed ABC News on Sunday he desires a say in who involves energy as soon as the struggle is over; a brand new chief “is not going to last long” with out his approval.
But Iran’s Revolutionary Guard issued an announcement expressing assist, and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah shared a portrait of the youthful Khamenei on Telegram with the caption, “Leader of the blessed Islamic revolution.”
Top Iranian safety official Ali Larijani, talking to state TV, praised the Assembly of Experts for “courageously” convening at the same time as airstrikes continued in Tehran. He added that the youthful Khamenei had been educated by his father and “can handle this situation.”
Regional anger grows and oil rises above $100 a barrel
The struggle’s toll on civilian targets grew as Bahrain accused Iran of hanging a desalination plant important to ingesting water provides, and oil depots in Tehran smoldered following in a single day Israeli strikes.
As the struggle impedes the area’s oil manufacturing and delivery, crude costs have surpassed $100 per barrel for the primary time in additional than three and a half years. Some regional producers, together with in Iraq, have curbed output amid dangers in the Strait of Hormuz.
In an indication of rising regional anger, the Arab League chief lashed out at Iran for its “reckless policy” of attacking neighbors, together with ones that host U.S. forces. Gulf nations have been struck by tons of of missiles and drones because the struggle began on Feb. 28.
Saudi Arabia reported its first deaths, saying a army projectile fell onto a residential space and killed two individuals of Indian and Bangladeshi nationality. Foreign residents and employees have made up many of the struggle’s deaths in Gulf nations.
Two US officers say the State Department will order nonessential personnel and households of all employees to go away Saudi Arabia as Iran escalates its retaliation for U.S.-Israel army operations. The officers, who spoke on situation of anonymity pending a proper announcement, stated the “ordered departure” standing can be introduced on Sunday.
Eight different U.S. diplomatic missions within the Middle East and South Asia have already got ordered all however key employees to go away, known as “ordered departure status.” That designation is in place in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.
Israel reported its first soldier deaths, saying two have been killed in southern Lebanon, the place its army is combating Hezbollah. The U.S. army stated a service member died of accidents from an Iranian assault on troops in Saudi Arabia on March 1. Seven U.S. troopers have now been killed.
The struggle has killed not less than 1,230 individuals in Iran, not less than 397 in Lebanon and not less than 11 in Israel, in keeping with officers.
Desalination and oil amenities attacked
Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia reported further Iranian missiles launched towards them.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged neighboring states not to participate in U.S. and Israeli assaults. The U.S. strikes haven’t come from Gulf Arab governments however from U.S. bases and vessels within the area.
Bahrain accused Iran of indiscriminately attacking civilian targets and damaging one among its desalination crops, although its electrical energy and water authority stated provides remained on-line.
Desalination crops provide water to hundreds of thousands of residents within the area and 1000’s of stranded vacationers, elevating new fears of catastrophic dangers in parched desert nations.
The strike got here after Iran stated a U.S. airstrike broken a desalination plant there. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated the strike on Qeshm Island within the Strait of Hormuz had reduce into the water provide to 30 villages.
He warned that in doing so “the U.S. set this precedent, not Iran.”
In response, CENTCOM spokesperson U.S. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins stated that “U.S. forces do not target civilians – period.”
Iranian authorities additionally stated Israel’s in a single day strikes on 4 oil storage tankers and a petroleum switch terminal killed 4 individuals. Witnesses in Tehran stated the smoke was so thick that it seemed as if the solar had not risen.
Israel’s army stated the oil depots have been utilized by Iran’s army for gasoline to launch missiles.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society warned Tehran residents to take precautions towards poisonous air air pollution and the chance of acid rain. It additionally stated about 10,000 civilian buildings throughout the nation had been broken, together with houses, faculties and virtually three dozen well being amenities.
Lebanon says a half-million individuals displaced
Lebanon stated over a half-million individuals have been displaced within the week of combating between Israel and Hezbollah.
The precise quantity is probably going increased. Lebanon’s rely of 517,000 refers to those that registered on the federal government’s on-line portal. Israel over the previous week has known as on residents in dozens of villages throughout southern Lebanon and the whole thing of Beirut’s southern suburbs to evacuate.
Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine stated 83 kids and 82 ladies have been amongst these killed.
In Beirut, sheltering households crammed into faculties, slept in automobiles or in open areas close to the Mediterranean Sea, the place some burned firewood to maintain heat.
Israel’s renewed offensive started final week after Hezbollah launched rockets towards northern Israel through the Iran struggle’s opening days.
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Metz reported from Ramallah, West Bank, Chehayeb from Beirut and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press journalists Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel and Aamer Madhani in Doral, Florida, contributed reporting.
