As the war continues, the Iranian regime has pressed ahead with appointing its new Supreme Leader. Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Ali Khamenei, was formally elevated in Tehran even as Israeli and American strikes continue to dismantle the regime’s military leadership, its fighting forces and its air defences – a striking dynastic turn for a system that has long presented itself as a revolutionary republic rather than a hereditary regime. Having watched Israel systematically eliminate senior figures around him while degrading the regime’s ability to fight and defend itself, the new leader may reasonably wonder whether his days could be numbered.

Mojtaba Khamenei has long been regarded as one of the most influential figures inside the Iranian system

Mojtaba Khamenei has long been regarded as one of the most influential figures inside the Iranian system

The announcement came late in a day otherwise dominated by the now-familiar pattern of the war between Israel and Iran: Israeli strikes deep inside Iranian territory, Iranian missile launches against Israel, continued fighting along the Lebanese front and a series of drone attacks across the Gulf.

Earlier in the day Israeli operations were focused on weakening Iran’s military infrastructure. Israeli aircraft struck fuel depots used by Iranian military forces in Tehran, leaving large storage facilities burning into the morning. Separate strikes targeted installations at Isfahan airport linked to Iran’s fleet of F-14 fighter jets, continuing a campaign aimed at limiting Iran’s ability to contest Israeli air operations.

Israel........

© The Spectator