Back to timelineOperation Epic Fury
Mar 8 20:32 ET
WORLD REACTION

Petraeus, Graham, Trump Condemn Mojtaba Khamenei Appointment as Supreme Leader

Former CIA Director David Petraeus described the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran Supreme Leader as unfortunate, questioning whether he even holds proper Ayatollah credentials and noting that many had hoped for a more pragmatic leader willing to abandon Iran nuclear and missile programs. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called Mojtaba a religious Nazi who lived lavishly while Iranians suffered, predicted he would face a fate similar to his father, and told the Iranian people stay strong, your freedom is near. President Trump warned that potential future Iranian leaders would be killed one by one, saying anyone who wants to become leader will eventually be killed.