Trump said “there are some good candidates” to lead Iran in the wake of Khamenei’s death but did not elaborate….reports Asian Lite News
U.S. President Donald Trump said that a diplomatic solution in Iran remains possible and is “much easier now” following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“Much easier now than it was a day ago, obviously,” Trump said in a phone interview with CBS News, saying the attacks have been effective and could create a pathway to diplomacy.
Trump said “there are some good candidates” to lead Iran in the wake of Khamenei’s death but did not elaborate.
On Iran’s retaliatory response, Trump said: “It’s what we expected.”
“We thought it’d be double,” Trump said. “Thus far, it’s been less than we thought.”
Earlier in the day, following the announcement of Khamenei’s death, Trump said that the massive military campaign against Iran would continue.
“The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary,” said Trump in a post on social media.
Attack on School
The death toll from a joint U.S.-Israeli strike on a girls’ elementary school in Iran’s southern province of Hormozgan rose to 148, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.
The attack also left 95 people wounded, local prosecutor Ebrahim Taheri was quoted as saying.
He said the majority of the victims of the brutal attack were pupils, with teachers, school staff and students’ parents also among the dead.
On Saturday morning, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, including Tabriz, Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Karaj. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases across the region.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities announced on Saturday evening the closure of all crossings into the Gaza Strip, including the Rafah land crossing, until further notice amid heightened tensions with Iran.
In a statement, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said: “Following recent developments, security measures have been taken to safeguard lives.” It added that crossings in the Gaza Strip, including Rafah, would remain closed until further notice.
The statement said West Bank crossings would also be closed, except for essential workers holding designated permits, who will be allowed to use the Eyal, Tarqumiyah, and Qalandia crossings.
COGAT stressed that Israel would maintain a policy of “zero tolerance toward any attempt to undermine security stability” and would take strict measures against anyone involved in what it described as terrorist activities. It also warned that any incitement or support for Iran would trigger a severe response.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ongoing combat operations against Iran “will continue as long as necessary to ensure that Iran no longer poses a threat.”
Israel “will strike thousands of targets in the coming days,” he said in a live broadcast statement, noting that the Israeli army is prepared for any scenario of response from “Iranian proxies” in the region.
The initiative, he claimed, is now in the hands of Israel and the United States, which he said are acting in full coordination.
