![\"Smoke](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/3052.jpg\")
Smoke billows after Israeli strikes on Beirut\u2019s southern suburbs. Photograph: Mohamed Azakir\/Reuters<\/p>\nIsraeli army begins strikes on Beirut\u2019s southern suburbs<\/p>\n
The IDF has said it is striking what it describes as Hezbollah infrastructure in the Dahiya neighbourhood, a densely populated commercial and residential area in the southern suburbs of Beirut.<\/p>\n
Smoke billows after Israeli strikes on Beirut\u2019s southern suburbs. Photograph: Mohamed Azakir\/Reuters<\/p>\n
The IDF had earlier issued forced evacuation orders for the whole population of Beirut\u2019s southern suburbs \u2013 home to 500,000 people \u2013 sparking widespread panic and leading to huge queues of traffic as people tried to flee<\/a>.<\/p>\n Per my colleague William Christou\u2019s report, \u201ctraffic was at a standstill throughout the city and thousands of people resorted to walking, with women pushing strollers holding infants through bumper-to-bumper traffic. Families made appeals for rescue services to help extract elderly people who could not leave their homes on their own.\u201d<\/p>\n Residents are also still scouring through the wreckage of residential buildings damaged by previous Israeli strikes on the Lebanese capital.<\/p>\n Indeed, Israel has been striking parts of Dahiya since Monday, but Israel\u2019s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, threatened widespread destruction in a video released on Thursday on social media.<\/p>\n Referring to a city in southern Gaza that Israel almost entirely destroyed during its military assault on the Palestinian territory, Smotrich said:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe Dahiya will look like Khan Younis. You wanted to give us hell, but you\u2019ve brought hell upon yourself.<\/p>\n The evacuation order was issued just a day after the IDF ordered all residents to flee the area south of the Litani River, which compromises about 10% of Lebanon, raising concerns that it may be about to launch a ground invasion.<\/p>\n Per my last post<\/a>, world leaders including Macron and Spanish PM Pedro S\u00e1nchez have been urging Israel to de-escalate and stop the US and Israel\u2019s war from expanding into a new front in Lebanon.<\/p>\n Israel claims it is retaliating after Hezbollah fired several rockets towards northern Israel on Monday. According to the Lebanese health ministry, Israeli strikes have killed at least 123 people and injured 683 in Lebanon since then.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.08 EST<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n Trump offers ‘immunity’ to Iran’s military and police if they surrender In his comments at the White House earlier, Donald Trump also renewed his call for Iran\u2019s military to surrender and the Iranian people to rise up and overthrow the theocratic government that has ruled the country since the 1979 revolution that deposed the shah.<\/p>\n double quotation markI\u2019m once again calling on all members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the military, and the police, to lay down their arms.<\/p>\n Now is the time to stand up for the Iranian people and help take back your country. You\u2019re going to have a chance, after all these years, to take back your country. Accept immunity.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll give you immunity,\u201d the president said, using a term more often associated with legal cases than war.<\/p>\n double quotation markAnd we\u2019ll be giving you- really the right side of history, because that\u2019s what it is. So, you\u2019ll be perfectly safe with total immunity or you\u2019ll face absolutely guaranteed death. And I don\u2019t want to see that.<\/p>\n We also urge Iranian diplomats around the world to request asylum and to help us shape a new and better Iran with great potential. It\u2019s a country with great potential. There\u2019s much better future for Iran. It\u2019s now beginning. It\u2019s going to be, I think, a great future.<\/p>\n Trump then reiterated that he intends to have a say in choosing the next leader of Iran.<\/p>\n double quotation markThe United States will ensure that whoever leads the country next, Iran will not threaten America or its neighbors, Israel, anybody.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you look at what happened, they had missiles aimed at all of these other countries, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, many others that weren\u2019t really involved very much,\u201d Trump said, without mentioning that all of those nations host US military<\/a> bases or troops.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd they had missiles aimed, well, they were aimed there long before this ever started,\u201d the president said. \u201cThey were going after the entire Middle East. And then we came along. We blew up their party.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Hegseth denies that US-Israeli war on Iran is destabilising the Middle East<\/p>\n US defence secretary Pete Hegseth also pushed back against criticisms that the US and Israel have created regional instability, saying \u201cnothing could be further from the truth\u201d.<\/p>\n He claimed that countries including the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are saying, \u201cWe\u2019ll shoot with you, we\u2019ll fly with you, we\u2019ll defend with you\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s firming up the unity of the resistance,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n double quotation markThis idea that [the war is] expanding \u2026 it\u2019s actually simplifying in a number of ways.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.53 EST<\/p>\n Following Donald Trump\u2019s criticism of the UK\u2019s initial refusal to grant the US use of British bases<\/a> in the Middle East to launch attacks on Iran, Hegseth said that it was \u201cunfortunate\u201d access wasn\u2019t granted \u201cfrom day one\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markBut we got there. We got there, and that\u2019s now part of the way that we\u2019re operationalising bomber runs … It\u2019s more fighter squadrons, it\u2019s more capabilities, it\u2019s more defensive capabilities, and it\u2019s more bomber pulses more frequently.<\/p>\n The amount of firepower over Iran and over Tehran is about to surge dramatically, and part of it is that we\u2019re gonna have even more bases. And it\u2019s not just the UK. We\u2019ve had other friends step up, and we\u2019re grateful for that.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.46 EST<\/p>\n US says it has hit 200 Iranian targets in past 72 hours and sunk more than 30 ships<\/p>\n Head of US Central Command, Adm Brad Cooper, said that in the last 72 hours, the US has struck nearly 200 targets in Iran.<\/p>\n He said Iranian ballistic missile attacks have fallen by 90% and drone attacks had decreased by 83% since the first day of the war.<\/p>\n The US has, at this point, sunk more than 30 Iranian ships, he added.<\/p>\n double quotation markAnd in just the last few hours, we hit an Iranian drone carrier ship roughly the size of a World War II aircraft carrier. And as we speak, it\u2019s on fire.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.52 EST<\/p>\n Fight in Iran has ‘only just begun’ and US will control timeline of war, says Hegseth<\/p>\n US defense secretary Pete Hegseth has been speaking during a briefing on the US-Israeli conflict with Iran at US Central Command.<\/p>\n The US mission in Iran<\/a> is \u201cadvancing decisively\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n double quotation markIran is hoping we cannot sustain this, which is a really bad calculation.<\/p>\n The US has \u201cno shortage of munitions\u201d and can sustain its campaign as long as it needs to, he added.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe have only just begun to fight, and fight decisively.<\/p>\n \u201cOur munitions are full up and our will is iron-clad, which means our timeline is ours and ours alone to control,\u201d he went on.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.38 EST<\/p>\n The day so far<\/p>\n The IDF has begun striking<\/a> what it describes as Hezbollah infrastructure in the Dahiya neighbourhood, a densely populated commercial and residential area in the southern suburbs of Beirut. The IDF had earlier issued forced evacuation orders for the whole population of Beirut\u2019s southern suburbs \u2013 home to 500,000 people \u2013 sparking widespread panic and leading to huge queues of traffic as people tried to flee<\/a>. It comes in spite of calls from world leaders including Emmanuel Macron urging Israel not to expand the war into Lebanon. According to the Lebanese health ministry, Israeli strikes have killed at least 123 people and injured 683 in Lebanon since Monday.<\/p>\n Donald Trump has claimed \u2013 without evidence \u2013 that Iran\u2019s air force and navy are \u201cgone\u201d. Speaking during an event at the White House, the US president said: \u201cWe\u2019re destroying more of Iran\u2019s missile and drone capability every single hour \u2013 knocking them out.\u201d He went on: \u201cSo [Iran] have no air force, they have no air defence. All of their airplanes are gone, their communications are gone. Other than that, they\u2019re doing quite well. Their navy is gone, [they lost] 24 ships in three days, that\u2019s a lot of ships,\u201d he said, along with 60% of Iran\u2019s missiles and 64% of its missile launchers.\u201d Echoing comments he made earlier this week, Trump added that the US military and Israel are \u201ctotally demolish[ing]\u201d Iranian targets \u201cfar ahead of schedule\u201d.<\/p>\n Trump also said he must \u201cbe involved in the appointment\u201d of Iran\u2019s next leader as he was in Venezuela, and dismissed the idea of the assassinated ayatollah\u2019s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, succeeding his father as supreme leader as \u201cunacceptable\u201d. More on that here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives has voted down a Democratic-backed measure to halt hostilities with Iran, as Republicans cleared the way for Trump to continue the conflict that has drawn in countries across the Middle East, but criticized as having unclear goals. Our story here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The UK\u2019s defence secretary John Healey declined to rule out Britain joining US-Israeli strikes on Iran. More on that here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he received a request from the United States \u201cfor specific support\u201d in dealing with Iran\u2019s Shahed attack drones, as the US and its allies in the Middle East seek Ukraine\u2019s expertise in countering such attacks from Russia. \u201cI gave instructions to provide the necessary means and ensure the presence of Ukrainian specialists who can guarantee the required security,\u201d Zelenskyy wrote<\/a> on X. \u201cUkraine helps partners who help ensure our security and protect the lives of our people.\u201d More on that here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.26 EST<\/p>\n Trump claims Iran’s navy and air force are ‘gone’<\/p>\n Donald Trump is currently speaking at the White House, and has just thanked \u201cwonderful Israeli partners\u201d who \u201ccontinue to demolish the enemy totally ahead of schedule and at levels people have never seen before\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe\u2019re destroying more of Iran\u2019s missile and drone capability every single hour \u2013 knocking them out.<\/p>\n The US president claimed, without evidence:<\/p>\n double quotation markSo [Iran] have no air force, they have no air defence. All of their airplanes are gone, their communications are gone. Other than that, they\u2019re doing quite well.<\/p>\n \u201cTheir navy is gone, [they lost] 24 ships in three days, that\u2019s a lot of ships,\u201d he said, along with 60% of Iran\u2019s missiles and 64% of its missile launchers.<\/p>\n Echoing comments he made earlier this week, Trump added that the US military and Israel are \u201ctotally demolish[ing]\u201d Iranian targets \u201cfar ahead of schedule\u201d.<\/p>\n Donald Trump speaks at an event to honor the 2025 Major League Soccer champions Inter Miami CF in the East Room of the White House. Photograph: Alex Brandon\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.03 EST<\/p>\n US House rejects war powers resolution to end Trump\u2019s hostilities with Iran The US House of Representatives<\/a> has voted down a Democratic-backed measure to halt hostilities with Iran, as Republicans cleared the way for Donald Trump to continue the conflict that has drawn in countries across the Middle East, but criticized as having unclear goals.<\/p>\n By a vote of 212-219, the House voted to reject a war powers resolution that would have forced the US to withdraw from the conflict until Congress authorized military action.<\/p>\n The vote was largely along party lines, with two Republicans<\/a> breaking with their party to support the resolution, and four Democrats voting against it.<\/p>\n Republicans control both chambers of Congress and their leaders have made clear that they believe Trump was authorized to initiate the air and naval campaign that began over the weekend, prompting Tehran to launch drones and missiles across the Middle East. Six US troops have been killed, as well as 1,230 people in Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.07 EST<\/p>\n Israeli army begins strikes on Beirut\u2019s southern suburbs<\/p>\n The IDF has said it is striking what it describes as Hezbollah infrastructure in the Dahiya neighbourhood, a densely populated commercial and residential area in the southern suburbs of Beirut.<\/p>\n Smoke billows after Israeli strikes on Beirut\u2019s southern suburbs. Photograph: Mohamed Azakir\/Reuters<\/p>\n The IDF had earlier issued forced evacuation orders for the whole population of Beirut\u2019s southern suburbs \u2013 home to 500,000 people \u2013 sparking widespread panic and leading to huge queues of traffic as people tried to flee<\/a>.<\/p>\n Per my colleague William Christou\u2019s report, \u201ctraffic was at a standstill throughout the city and thousands of people resorted to walking, with women pushing strollers holding infants through bumper-to-bumper traffic. Families made appeals for rescue services to help extract elderly people who could not leave their homes on their own.\u201d<\/p>\n Residents are also still scouring through the wreckage of residential buildings damaged by previous Israeli strikes on the Lebanese capital.<\/p>\n Indeed, Israel has been striking parts of Dahiya since Monday, but Israel\u2019s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, threatened widespread destruction in a video released on Thursday on social media.<\/p>\n Referring to a city in southern Gaza that Israel almost entirely destroyed during its military assault on the Palestinian territory, Smotrich said:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe Dahiya will look like Khan Younis. You wanted to give us hell, but you\u2019ve brought hell upon yourself.<\/p>\n The evacuation order was issued just a day after the IDF ordered all residents to flee the area south of the Litani River, which compromises about 10% of Lebanon, raising concerns that it may be about to launch a ground invasion.<\/p>\n Per my last post<\/a>, world leaders including Macron and Spanish PM Pedro S\u00e1nchez have been urging Israel to de-escalate and stop the US and Israel\u2019s war from expanding into a new front in Lebanon.<\/p>\n Israel claims it is retaliating after Hezbollah fired several rockets towards northern Israel on Monday. According to the Lebanese health ministry, Israeli strikes have killed at least 123 people and injured 683 in Lebanon since then.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.08 EST<\/p>\n Macron urges Netanyahu ‘not to expand the war into Lebanon’<\/p>\n French president Emmanuel Macron has called on Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu \u201cnot to expand the war to Lebanon\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cHezbollah must immediately cease its fire toward Israel. Israel must refrain from any ground operations or large-scale actions in Lebanese territory,\u201d Macron said<\/a> on X.<\/p>\n \u201cAt this time of great danger, I call on the Prime Minister of Israel not to expand the war into Lebanon.\u201d<\/p>\n He went on:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe Lebanese authorities have given me their commitment to take control of the positions held by Hezbollah and to fully assume responsibility for security across the entire national territory.<\/p>\n I give them my full support. France will strengthen its co-operation with the Lebanese armed forces and will provide them with armoured transport vehicles, as well as operational and logistical support.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything must be done,\u201d Macron said, to prevent Lebanon \u201conce again being drawn into war\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.02 EST<\/p>\n Donald Trump has brushed off concerns over any backlash sparked by the US-Israeli military operation against Iran, saying the public is \u201cloving\u201d it.<\/p>\n In an interview with Politico, the US president said: \u201cPeople are loving what\u2019s happening.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cWe\u2019re taking out a threat to the United States of America, major threat\u2026 and doing it like nobody\u2019s ever seen before.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked how much influence he expects to have over Iran\u2019s future leadership, Trump replied:<\/p>\n double quotation markI\u2019m going to have a big impact, or they\u2019re not going to have any settlement, because we\u2019re not going to have to go do this again.<\/p>\n He suggested that Iran\u2019s future leadership would be able to \u201cnicely build Iran but without nuclear weapons\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The IDF\u2019s chief of staff has said it is \u201cnow moving to the next phase of the operation\u201d against Iran.<\/p>\n Eyal Zamir explained that the new phase will involve \u201cintensify strikes against the regime\u2019s foundations and military capabilities\u201d.<\/p>\n He continued: \u201cWe have additional surprise moves at our disposal that I do not intend to reveal.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Nato has bolstered its \u201cballistic missile defence posture\u201d, a spokesperson for the alliance has said.<\/p>\n The update comes after a ballistic missile reportedly launched from Iran and heading towards Turkish airspace was shot down by Nato air defence systems yesterday.<\/p>\n In a statement released on social media, Col Martin O\u2019Donnell, a spokesperson for the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers \u2060Europe, said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWhile I cannot go into details about this posture change for operational security reasons, the adjustment gives the Supreme Allied Commander Europe exactly what he needs to defend the Alliance based upon the current threat and defend it he will!<\/p>\n He added that Nato\u2019s ballistic missile defence posture will remain at a \u201cheightened level until the threat from Iran\u2019s continued indiscriminate attacks across the region subsides\u201d.<\/p>\n Commenting on yesterday\u2019s interception, O\u2019Donnell said that in \u201cless than 10 minutes\u201d, Nato identified the threat of an incoming missile, confirmed its trajectory, alerted land- and sea-based missile defence systems, and launched an interceptor.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cThat is real strength!\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.20 EST<\/p>\n Operations at the American embassy in Kuwait City have been suspended, the US state department has announced.<\/p>\n In its latest update<\/a>, the department said there have been no reported injuries to US personnel, but the \u201csafety of Americans abroad remains the highest priority\u201d.<\/p>\n It added:<\/p>\n double quotation markUS citizens in Kuwait should depart the country, if they can do so safely, using commercial or other available transportation options. US citizens unable to depart should shelter in place.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Israel\u2019s air force carried out a \u201cwave of strikes on over 200 targets\u201d across Iran today, according to the IDF.<\/p>\n A statement posted on the IDF\u2019s Telegram channel said:<\/p>\n double quotation markThese strikes join previous strikes that have taken place since the start of the operation, which are focused on dismantling the Iranian regime\u2019s ballistic missile array. <\/p>\n Since the beginning of the operation, hundreds of launch sites across Iran have been struck – especially in western Iran – in order to reduce missile launches toward the State of Israel.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>US asked Ukraine for help against Iranian drones, Zelenskyy says<\/p>\n In a dramatic turn of the proverbial tables, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he received a request from the United States \u201cfor specific support\u201d in dealing with Iran\u2019s Shahed attack drones, as the US and its allies in the Middle East seek Ukraine\u2019s expertise in countering such attacks.<\/p>\n It follows reporting<\/a> from my colleague Hugo Powell yesterday that top US military officials told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing on Tuesday that they may not be able to shoot down every Iranian drone being launched against US military installations and assets in retaliatory attacks.<\/p>\n Ukraine, meanwhile, has been countering Russian attacks using Shahed drones \u2013 one of Iran\u2019s best known weapons – for the last four years. Last year alone, Russia launched over 50,000 of them into Ukraine, the majority of which were intercepted.<\/p>\n Related: Iran\u2019s Shahed drones have brought terror to Ukrainian skies \u2013 now they are being deployed in the Middle East<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI gave instructions to provide the necessary means and ensure the presence of Ukrainian specialists who can guarantee the required security,\u201d Zelenskyy wrote<\/a> on X. \u201cUkraine helps partners who help ensure our security and protect the lives of our people.\u201d<\/p>\n Yesterday, Zelenskyy said he said he has spoken in recent days with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait about possible cooperation.<\/p>\n He has said that Ukrainian assistance in countering Iranian drones will be provided only if it does not weaken Ukraine\u2019s own defenses, and if it adds leverage to Kyiv\u2019s diplomatic efforts to stop the Russian invasion.<\/p>\n The irony of the Trump administration, which has for the last year held leverage over \u2013 and been highly erratic towards \u2013 Ukraine regarding military assistance and supplies of weapons, now needing help from the country whose leader it has publicly berated, is not lost on us \u2013 and will certainly not be lost on Zelenskyy.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.45 EST<\/p>\n Was Trump ever in control of the Iran war? – podcast<\/p>\n This week on Politics Weekly America<\/a>, my colleague Rachel Leingang speaks with foreign policy expert Ali Vaez about what it was like to take part in war game exercises for the Pentagon, and how they compare with what he has seen play out this week.<\/p>\n Then the Guardian\u2019s Andrew Roth talks us through the inner chaos in the Trump administration<\/a> and Congress over Trump\u2019s decision to go to war with Iran.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>UK defence secretary fails to rule out Britain joining offensive action in Iran<\/p>\n The UK\u2019s defence secretary John Healey earlier declined to rule out Britain joining US-Israeli strikes on Iran.<\/p>\n As we reported earlier, Healey flew into Cyprus to calm the diplomatic fallout<\/a> over a drone that evaded detection and hit an RAF base, prompting fury from local ministers.<\/p>\n UK officials believe the drone evaded detection by flying low and slow when it was launched by pro-Iranian militia in Lebanon or western Iraq.<\/p>\n Speaking to Sky News, Healey was asked if he would rule out the UK joining the conflict in an offensive capacity. He replied:<\/p>\n double quotation markAs circumstances in any conflict change, you\u2019ve got to be willing to adapt the action you take.<\/p>\n Pressed again on whether he would rule out British aircraft taking part in offensive operations over Iran, he said:<\/p>\n double quotation markEverything that we have done is defensive, is legal, and is coordinated with other allies.<\/p>\n As my colleague Helena Smith reports, this is the first time the Cypriot political and diplomatic elite have expressed consternation over the dangers posed by the facilities<\/a>, saying Britain has not done enough to protect the installations and surrounding areas where locals live.<\/p>\n Speaking to the media, Healey listed defensive measures that were being taken by the UK, including the use of anti-drone helicopters, deploying HMS Dragon<\/a> to the eastern Mediterranean, and bringing in planners to co-ordinate an international response.<\/p>\n Per the BBC, he said the HMS Dragon would arrive \u201cwithin the next couple of weeks\u201d.<\/p>\n The UK has \u201cgot more jets in Cyprus than any other nation\u201d and \u201c400 air defence specialists on top of what we would normally have\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n double quotation markThat\u2019s because we want to make sure we can defend our British personnel, we can defend our British base, we can defend this island of Cyprus and we\u2019re defending also allies across region.<\/p>\n In addition the defensive measures Healey outlined above, the British PM, Keir Starmer, has allowed the United States to use British airfields to carry out \u201cdefensive\u201d missions.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, Starmer said the UK would not join in the initial US-Israeli offensive strikes, citing a lack of a \u201clawful basis\u201d and stating that his government does not believe in \u201cregime change from the skies\u201d.<\/p>\n British defence secretary John Healey is greeted by a member of the Cypriot Armed Forces at the Ministry of Defence in Nicosia, Cyprus. Photograph: Po Rory Arnold\/BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE HANDOUT\/EPAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.15 EST<\/p>\n Trump says he must ‘be involved in’ choosing Iran\u2019s next leader<\/p>\n Donald Trump has said he must \u201cbe involved in the appointment\u201d of Iran\u2019s next leader as he was in Venezuela, and dismissed the idea of the assassinated ayatollah\u2019s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, succeeding his father as supreme leader as \u201cunacceptable\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are wasting their time. Khamenei\u2019s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela,\u201d Trump told Axios today<\/a>. You will remember that Rodriguez took over after US forces captured president Nicol\u00e1s Maduro in January.<\/p>\n Trump added that he could not accept a new Iranian leader who would continue Khamenei\u2019s policies.<\/p>\n \u201cKhamenei\u2019s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Selecting a leader who followed the policies of the former supreme leader could force the US back to war \u201cin five years\u201d, he added.<\/p>\n Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein\/AP<\/p>\n It comes a day after Trump\u2019s defense secretary Pete Hegseth insisted that regime change was not the primary goal of the US military operation in Iran. Other Trump administration officials have made the same claim since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran last Saturday, which killed the former supreme leader<\/a> Ali Khamenei .<\/p>\n This, even though Trump himself has pushed for Iranian regime change previously. His administration has pivoted its messaging in recent days to focus on destroying Iran\u2019s nuclear and military capabilities.<\/p>\n Since the US-Israeli military assault began, Trump has suggested several times that he had a good idea who he wanted to succeed Khamenei in Iran.<\/p>\n But these latest comments to Axios come after he told reporters at the White House on Tuesday:<\/p>\n Most of the people we had in mind are dead.<\/p>\n No formal announcement has been made from Iran regarding the selection of a new leader, though Mojtaba Khamenei is considered the frontrunner<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Robert](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Robert_Mackey.png\")
Robert Mackey<\/p>\n![\"Chris](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772751789_358_Chris_Stein.png\")
Chris Stein<\/p>\n