Dawn
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07:44 Mar 09, 2026
WASHINGTON: Tehran has confirmed the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, a decision that has drawn contrasting reactions from Washington and Jerusalem, reflecting differing strategies in responding to Iran’s evolving leadership. US response: calculated and cautious So far, President Donald Trump has avoided direct criticism of Mojtaba Khamenei’s succession, instead framing the development in terms of energy markets and US strategic influence. In a post on Truth Social, an hour after the announcement, he highlighted that temporary oil price increases were a minor cost compared with global stability and security. But in an interview with ABC News earlier on Sunday, Trump repeated his suggestion that Iran’s next leader would need “approval” from Washington, implying that the US has a role in shaping acceptable leadership outcomes. While he described Khamenei’s expected appointment as problematic, he refrained from threatening direct military action. This approach underscores the US balanc...