Oil Prices Fall Back Sharply as Trump Claims Iran War Will Be Over ‘Very Soon’

Khamenei, whose father ruled Iran for almost 37 years and was killed when US-Israeli strikes began on February 28, won a “decisive vote” in Iran’s Assembly of Experts to become supreme leader, Iranian media reported late Sunday. The 56-year-old has deep ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the most powerful military and economic organisation in Iran and which pledged full obedience to the new leader.

Trump told Fox News he is “not happy” with Iran’s pick. Khamenei was a favorite to be selected, though there were several other candidates in the running, some of who might have been more amenable to the US.

Iranian officials say more than 1,300 people have died due to the US and Israel’s attacks so far. There has since been little sign of anti-government activity, with activists fearful of taking to the streets while Iran is under attack.

"The Guards and the system are still powerful. They have tens of thousands of forces ready to fight to keep this regime in place. We, the people, have nothing," said Babak, 34, a businessman in the central city of Arak who asked to keep his family name confidential. — Agencies