Reactions and statements from the international community
Following the announcement of Mojtaba Khamenei's succession, a video shows Hamid Resaei, a hardline member of Iran's parliament, stating that it is impossible to select Mojtaba Khamenei due to a lack of leadership qualifications.
Kazem Gharibabadi, the Legal Deputy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stated that the first condition for accepting a ceasefire is "stopping the aggression," following contacts from several countries including France, China, and Russia regarding a potential ceasefire.
Danny Danon, Israel's representative to the United Nations, stated that the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as the leader of the Islamic Republic means continuing the same previous path, ideology, and policies, and warned that anyone pursuing this ideology against Israel will become a target.
President Donald Trump told CBS News in a telephone interview that he has someone else in mind for future leadership of Iran and stated that the war with the Islamic Republic "is almost over," noting that more than 3,000 targets were struck in the first week of military operations.
The Israeli Air Force struck Iranian command centers and weapons manufacturing sites in Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz on December 15, 2025, using dozens of fighter jets and over 170 munitions, targeting an IRGC Quds Force command center, a missile production and storage facility, and additional military infrastructure.
Israel conducted air and missile strikes that heavily damaged military facilities in and around Isfahan, including the 8th Fighter Base and other IRGC Ground Forces bases, which satellite imagery shows to be cratered and hit with multiple impacts.
The Wall Street Journal reported, citing current and former U.S. officials, that former President Donald Trump told his aides he would support killing Mojtaba Khamenei, the new leader of the Islamic Republic, if Khamenei refused to meet U.S. demands such as ending Iran's nuclear program.
CBS News reporter Matt Gutman demonstrated near Tel Aviv, Israel, the fuel tank of a missile fired by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), highlighting its capability to disperse explosives over a wide area, intended to harm civilian populations.
The Israeli Air Force struck six Iranian military airbases overnight, destroying multiple aircraft including attack helicopters and IRGC Quds Force planes, as well as damaging runways, detection systems, and air defenses.
Donald Trump, the President of the United States, described the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new leader of the Islamic Republic as a "major mistake" and did not rule out the possibility of seizing Iran's oil, though he noted it was too early to discuss such actions, which could strain relations with China.
Mojtaba Khamenei, who was previously known as "Hujjat al-Islam," was swiftly elevated to the title of "Ayatollah" upon assuming leadership, mirroring the title change of his father in 1989.
German Chancellor Merz called for the end of the Iranian Mullah regime, stating that it is up to the regime and the Revolutionary Guards to stop hostilities. Until then, Merz indicated that Israel and the United States will continue their defensive actions against Iran.
