Iran's choice of Mojtaba Khamenei appears to close path to swift end to war
CNA
The appointment of Khamenei, 56, has been declared unacceptable by US President Donald Trump, who has demanded Iran's unconditional surrender.
DUBAI/JERUSALEM: Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his slain father as supreme leader on Monday (Mar 9), signalling that hardliners remain firmly in charge and appearing to close off any path to a swift end to war in the Middle East.
The prospect that the disruption to global energy supplies - already one of the most severe in history - could last longer than previously expected sent oil prices surging in record leaps, and global stock markets went into a nosedive.
Khamenei, 56, a Shiite cleric with a power base among the security forces and their vast business empire, has been declared unacceptable by US President Donald Trump, who has demanded Iran's unconditional surrender.
Iran's political system rallied around the new supreme leader, with politicians and institutions issuing strongly worded pledges of loyalty. Public processions to take loyalty vows were announced for later on Monday.
"We will obey the commander-in-chief until the last drop of our blood," a defence council statement said.
Trump said the US strikes had "totally demolished" most of Kharg Island and warned that more could follow, adding: "We may hit it a few more times just for fun."
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