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Iran's Supreme Leader Killed In Strikes; U.S. Strikes On Iran Renew Calls For Congress To Vote; Protesters In New York Condemn U.S. Military Action; Iran Vows "Heaviest Offensive" Yet After Supreme Leader's Death. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired March 01, 2026 - 02:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[02:00:58]

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Well, I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi. Let's get you straight to our breaking news. It is 10:30 a.m. in Tehran. And Sunday, March the 1st is already shaping up to be an historic day there and across the region.

We begin with escalating threats from what is left of the Iranian regime as one of Iran's most powerful figures is vowing a much stronger reaction from his country's Armed Forces. Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani just said to the world, quote, "The Americans have stabbed the Iranian people in the heart and we will stab them in their heart."

Donald Trump reacting to Iran's heightened threats posting, quote, "Iran just stated they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before. They better not do that, however, because if they do, we will hit them with a force that has never been seen before."

Let's remind you of the context for these latest statements. President Donald Trump says the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei died following massive strikes on Iran on Saturday morning. He was reportedly killed in his compound in the capital, Tehran.

Iranian state media reports the country's top general and a key adviser to the late Supreme Leader have also been killed along with Khamenei's daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law. Extremely significant. President Trump says he knows exactly who he wants to lead Iran next but wouldn't say who.

OK, joining me now is CNN's Oren Liebermann. He is in Tel Aviv this morning. And, Oren, what is the latest there?

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Becky, it's been almost exactly now 25 hours since the opening salvo of U.S.-Israeli strikes that Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said just a moment ago were the strikes in which the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in that opening round of attacks. And it's not just the Supreme Leader. Israel has also said they killed some of the top members of Iran's security and defense leadership in what appears to amount to a decapitation strike of Iran's security leadership and that in the opening of attacks. But this is very clearly not over yet.

In fact, Becky, just a moment ago we came out of bomb shelters here at the hotel in Tel Aviv because of another wave of Iranian incoming and not the first this morning. At least three or four others several hours ago a warning of incoming Iranian missiles perhaps as well the sounds of intercepts. We heard those all last night.

Iran, meanwhile, warning that they have much greater attacks and the most massive barrage still yet to come here. And that's significant at least in terms of the warnings that the Israeli Home Front Command is giving the people here. Stay near shelters and abide by the instructions.

Last night around 10:00 or 10:30 in the evening local time here we saw a barrage incoming one missile getting through and striking in Tel Aviv here killing one and wounding about 20 others. Meanwhile, we saw a launch of frankly a wave of interceptors to try to knock out those incoming missiles before they impacted here. So this, at least from where we stand this morning is very much continuing.

Of course, the key question is, where does this go from here and what is next? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long viewed himself effectively as messianic when it comes to Iran and is warned of what he views as the threat of Iran for decades. Well, for him, now in this moment, this -- the assassination of the Supreme Leader is frankly, effectively his Mount Everest.

This is what he has talked about. Regime change as planned for and as referenced in some of the statements we've seen not only now, but also back in June during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran. But that leaves open, of course the question of what comes next. And on that point, Netanyahu has really said is it's time for the Iranian people to overthrow the regime.

[02:05:05]

But at least from the public statements that in and of itself is hardly a plan. Meanwhile, as you point out, President Donald Trump said -- told CBS News in a phone interview that he has several candidates for who might lead Iran next and he has a selection made but he wouldn't say who that would be just yet at this point.

Here we are on day two, again, just over 24 hours, 25 to be exact, after that opening round of U.S.-Israeli strikes as we wait to see how the day unfolds here. I will say looking around here from the roof of the hotel in Tel Aviv, it is on a Sunday on the beginning of the work week here what appears to be a very quiet morning as most people, it seems are staying inside and heeding those warnings that there may be much more incoming throughout the day here.

ANDERSON: What do we know about the extent of the U.S.-Israeli operation since those initial strikes Saturday morning?

LIEBERMANN: Israel has said there was months of planning and coordination that went into that between the two militaries there. I think that much is obvious as well as Israel's intel penetration of Iran and we've seen that on display several times in the past. Meanwhile, Israel has continued to strike targets in Iran mostly at this point at least from what it seems are ballistic missiles and missile launchers.

Israel viewed that as a primary target. It's really Iran's threat that can reach the state of Israel and again we've seen those incoming here. So we have seen waves of those continued strikes. Meanwhile, the U.S. has been a bit more discreet about its continued operations but Trump has warned that they will keep striking Iran.

In his first Truth Social post in which he said or acknowledged that the Supreme Leader had been killed, he said the U.S. would keep striking Iran until there was peace in the region and even he said in his Truth Social post world peace.

ANDERSON: Oren Liebermann is in Tel Aviv for the time being. Oren, thank you.

Here in the UAE, an unprecedented nearly 24 hours under attack by Iran. You're looking at a fresh explosion in Dubai at last count. Officials say they'd intercepted at least 137 missiles and 209 drones. Though my colleagues have heard several more blasts in recent minutes.

And it follows panic, chaos, and injuries at the Dubai airport overnight. And a Shahed drone striking a luxury hotel in Dubai's Palm Jumeirah on Saturday.

Let me bring in Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, she's the Member of State for International Cooperation for the UAE. Reem, thank you for joining us from Dubai this morning. It is --

REEM BINT EBRAHIM AL HASHIMY, UAE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: Thank you. Thank you for having me.

ANDERSON: -- hard to overstate just how shocking these images are to UAE residents who are used to this country being a beacon of safety and stability as Iran now threatens the, quote, "heaviest offensive in its history" following the Supreme Leader's death. Can you give us the very latest on the scope and scale of the targets and casualties so far? And what more the UAE is bracing for today?

AL HASHIMY: Thank you very much, Becky, for having me, and thank you for your program as well. It's a really unprecedented time for us. This is something we've tried to avoid in the last couple of weeks and months as we had encouraged dialogue and de-escalation.

Unfortunately, we're at a situation right now where Iran has through very unjustifiable and very unlawful measures taken attacks not just to the UAE but also to the rest of the Gulf and beyond. That is something that we do not accept. We have one of the best defense systems in the world and we are confident that we will be able to continue to support our infrastructure and protect the people who live here.

I know it's a scary time for a lot of the residents you had mentioned that because you're right, we don't hear these types of loud sounds but at the same time those are sounds of interception, and where there has been damage that has been primarily debris. And so I do think it is important that we reaffirm to the people of the UAE both expatriates but also nationals alike that we have one of the best air to missile defense systems in the world and that we are doing everything to ensure that we continue to be safe and secure.

ANDERSON: These threats from Iran had been telegraphed should they be attacked by the U.S. They were on Saturday morning. The threats were on U.S. bases effectively around this region and in the UAE.

[02:10:00]

These strikes have been wider than that. I note the attacks, for example, on sort of hotels and civilian infrastructure in the UAE. How much worse do you fear this could get? And what is your sense of the targeting here?

AL HASHIMY: So however way they want to move, we will be ready for that. We, of course, do not want further escalation. We are calling for calm and measured responses. But by the same token as you noted earlier, over 137 ballistic missiles, over 200 drones that has been intercepted by the defense system in the UAE.

We continue to urge de-escalation. We are working with our partners all around the world and receiving from them assurances not only of support and coordination but also severe condemnation that this has taken a much larger regional standpoint by really implicating other countries in the Gulf as well.

ANDERSON: And you've urged de-escalation as you say arguing diplomacy is the only way forward. Now we've seen official statements as well from the UAE and around the Gulf region condemning the attacks and a clear message we reserve the right to retaliate. Reem, what is that response likely to look like?

AL HASHIMY: Well, it depends, Becky, and it's a really fluid and dynamic situation right now but rest assured to the people of this country that we will leave no stone unturned to make sure that we do defend ourselves and we are prepared for that. We hope it doesn't come to it, but by the same token, we're not going to sit idly by as we continue to be recipients of such a barrage of attacks that are unlawful and unjustified as well.

ANDERSON: The UAE in the region clearly has the option to switch from not allowing the U.S. to launch attacks from territory in the Gulf to a combative mode in support of the U.S. and Israel's operation on Iran. Is that likely?

AL HASHIMY: Sorry, I lost you for a second. Do you mind repeating that?

ANDERSON: Is the switch from this position where the UAE and other regional allies have denied the use of bases here and operations in support of the U.S. on Iran to a more combative role. Is that likely?

AL HASHIMY: We have, before this began, been very clear about not having our territories be used to attack Iran. We have always encouraged dialogue and we have wanted to make sure that it doesn't amount to this because our region doesn't need another war. By the same token if it needs to come to that it will come to that. And really the ball is in Iran's court right now about how they want to deal with a neighborhood and a neighbor that has traditionally been a very fair and good neighbor to them as well.

ANDERSON: With these supreme leaders killing, has the door closed on diplomacy?

AL HASHIMY: The door for diplomacy never closes. We continue to engage because we continue to want to de-escalate and we want to find other ways, other security arrangements that are helpful for this larger region. Iran is a neighbor to us, will always be a neighbor to us geographically but also we share a lot of similar ecosystems in a very close and tight-knit region.

Having said that, it is very important to recognize that it takes two to tango. And at this stage you are seeing a barrage of attacks against not just the UAE but other countries within the Gulf, Jordan, Iraq, et cetera. And that is a massive escalatory measure that is just not indicative of an Iran that wants to be in the region with its fellow neighborhood.

ANDERSON: Donald Trump says he knows, and I quote him here, exactly who is in charge of Iran right now. What is your understanding of the power structure inside the country as we speak? And what is the UAE's position on Iran's best course for governance at this point?

AL HASHIMY: So always really we've reiterated this for the Iranian people to decide. This is very important for me to also emphasize in this context too. The UAE doesn't get involved in how different countries are governed or how different countries choose their government.

[02:15:04]

We want a friendly neighbor that wants to live side by side with us and with our surrounding region. And we are hopeful that it will eventually come to that.

ANDERSON: Donald Trump last spoke to the UAE's leader as I understand it about 10 hours ago according to his press secretary. What can you tell us about that conversation and the UAE's sense of Donald Trump's sort of thinking and state of mind at present?

AL HASHIMY: We have a very strong strategic relationship with the United States and a strong relationship with President Trump as well. They are our allies and they are our friends. By the same token, we also have strong partnerships with countries in the region but also beyond that. And the objective right now is to find a way out of more conflict and war in this part of the world that has already seen far too much of it. ANDERSON: I mean, finally, I just want to underscore the significance of these attacks on the UAE. Your message to the people living here, the citizens and the residents, is that they are safe, they are secure. The next period could be frightening, it could be scary for people living here. The threats are very clear from the Iranian leadership and let's call it that in inverted commas at this point.

Can I just ask you finally for a message to the people here?

AL HASHIMY: Really to emphasize that you are safe with a leadership that cares for you and that will do everything they possibly can to ensure that that safety continues. I want to highlight again, Becky, that we need to salute our defense forces, law enforcement, all of the civil defense teams, and police forces that really -- it's just been quite loud and there's been some debris at different places, but otherwise, we've been quite safe in comparison to some other very, very horrible war zones.

So really put things in context to recognize that we are in a safe place that has a very strong infrastructure and a leadership that truly does care for Emiratis and non-Emiratis alike but also for tourists and visitors. And we will really leave no stone unturned to make sure that that continues to be the case for all of our citizens and residents alike.

ANDERSON: It's good to speak to you this morning. I know you will be extremely busy giving us the time. It's hugely valuable to us.

Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, thank you very much indeed for joining us.

AL HASHIMY: Thank you.

ANDERSON: You're watching our breaking news coverage here on CNN. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi.

Still to come, demonstrators in Iran both celebrating and condemning the U.S. and Israeli strikes. That story and more is after this short break. Stay with us.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have the sad news at this point, a confirmation that has come through. As you see in the bottom of your screen, Iran's leader, the leader of Iran's Islamic revolution, Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, has been martyred. Is now confirmed. Iran's leader, the leader of Iran's Islamic revolution, Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei has been martyred in the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.

So this piece of news now is confirmed. This is obviously very difficult piece of news to be relayed to the audiences that are watching us. It's been confirmed. We obviously have our channels that after their thorough investigation, have concluded and have confirmed this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, the emotional announcement there on Iranian state media that the supreme leader was killed in Saturday's strikes. Meanwhile, this video shows protesters in Tehran waving Iranian regime flags and raising their fists while chanting death to America. But Ayatollah Khamenei's death has also sparked celebrations, both at home and abroad.

In Iran, anti-regime activists can be seen tearing down a monument as fires burn around them. President Trump says he knows exactly who he wants to lead Iran, but did not elaborate. One possible contender is Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last and ousted Shah.

In the Washington Post, Pahlavi wrote in part, quote, "Many Iranians often, despite facing bullets, have called on me to lead this transition. I am in awe of their courage and I have answered their call."

Well, U.S. lawmakers are having mixed reactions to the joint U.S. and Israeli military operation on Iran, while some are celebrating the death of the supreme leader. Here's Senator Tom Cotton's reaction.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM COTTON, U.S. REPUBLICAN SENATOR: The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has been terrorizing not only the Iranian people, but the civilized world for almost 30 years. So this is a great blow for justice, but also for safety and security.

We don't know quite what will come next in Iran, but we hope that we can find a new day for Iran that will not only allow the Iranian people to live in freedom, but will once and for all end the threat of a revolutionary Islamic regime in Iran.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[02:25:24]

ANDERSON: Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans were alarmed by the military strikes. Many want Congress to be reconvened immediately. They want a formal vote, which could limit President Trump's ability to continue military operations without that congressional approval.

Well this comes as anti-war protests were seen in parts of the United States. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Not another nickel (ph), not another dime.

CROWD: Not another nickel (ph), not another dime.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No more money for Trump's crimes.

CROWD: No more money for Trump's crimes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, this was in New York Saturday as protesters condemned the recent military action. People held signs that said, "Stop the war in Iran," as well as, "Trump must go."

Well, CNN's Julia Benbrook joins us now live from West Palm Beach in Florida. And that is where the President is. And what is the latest from him?

JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, just about 24 hours ago now is when Trump was at his Mar-a-Lago estate. He's still there now, but that's when we got that visual of him gathered with top national security advisers at Mar-a-Lago and watching this take place, monitoring what was happening. And we saw a photo that the White House released with Trump wearing that white USA hat. He was in the room with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and others.

Now, in just the last hour, Trump has taken to social media with a stark warning for Iran as they look to retaliate. I want to pull that up for you now. In it, he said this. He said, "Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today. Harder than they have ever hit before." Then adding in all caps, "THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE."

In an eight-minute video when he announced those strikes, he did say he gave a message of encouragement to the people of Iran, saying that they should cease control of their government once U.S. military operations had concluded. He also warned at that time that American lives could be lost in this operation.

Hours after that video, he took to social media to confirm that Iran's Supreme Leader the Ayatollah had been killed. Israel has also shared a list of top Iranian officials who were also killed as part of this operation, which they have dubbed Operation Epic Fury.

Now, this comes after several rounds of high-stakes talks between the United States and Iran to try and come to a nuclear agreement. This last round was held in Geneva on Thursday, led by U.S. Envoy Steve -- Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. And when that ended, it was clear that there was still a significant gap between the two parties when it comes to the demands.

Now, we have not seen Trump in person. There was, of course, that video that was released, but we have not seen him in person since those initial strikes. And there are no public events on his schedule tomorrow, but as he heads back to Washington, there could be time for reporters to get in questions to press for more information.

And then when he returns to Washington, there will no doubt be more questions from lawmakers, as many are wanting to hear more about the legal justification for these strikes. The White House did say that Rubio briefed the Gang of Eight, the bipartisan group of lawmakers. He was able to get a hold of seven of the eight of them ahead of the strikes.

But sources familiar with those calls have said that even then they didn't get into the full details of that. So there are calls for more briefings, more infos, and a potential vote on Trump's war powers.

ANDERSON: Julia Benbrook reporting. Thank you.

Well, it is 11:00 a.m. in Tehran on what is an historic day. The news announced officially on Iranian state media that the Supreme Leader has been killed.

CNN's Ivan Watson joining us now live. And Ivan, you've been looking at the next steps Iran's government is likely to take. There is a constitutional plan in place. What are we hearing from those still in a position of leadership?

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Right. Well, there have already been announcements that according to the Iranian constitution, there is a framework for selecting a new supreme leader and also the formation of a temporary leadership council. Those types of signals being sent out.

[02:30:11]

At the same time, we're learning about the growing death toll among senior leadership, that it went beyond Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but it also included the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Commander, Major General Mohammad Pakpour, who had replaced his predecessor, who was killed, Hossein Salami, in the June 12 Day War, where Israel and the U.S. bombed Iran. That a key adviser, Ali Shamkhani, was also killed. He's head of the National Security Council. Also the defense minister and the chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces, as well as some relatives of Ali Khamenei himself.

We have heard from Ali Larijani, he is a veteran politician in the Iranian political system and the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and he has vowed revenge. Take a listen to what he had to say earlier.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALI LARIJANI, SECRETARY OF THE SUPREME NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL (through translation): The Americans have stabbed the Iranian people in the heart, and we will stab them in their heart. The reaction from our armed forces will be much stronger.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: No sign of backing down there at all. We have seen some people out celebrating in streets of various Iranian cities at the news of the death of their supreme leader, but we have also seen displays of support and mourning for him, as the government has declared 40 days of mourning, massive scenes in the city of Isfahan, for example. And some of that has extended across borders to Iraq, where the Iraqi government has condemned Khamenei's killing, has called for three days of mourning. And we have also seen scenes of people out in the streets in the southern port city of Basra, for example, in support of Iran and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as people -- a crowd that sought to break into the U.S. embassy in Baghdad and were pushed back by Iraqi security forces.

So, clearly, that in addition to the missile and drone strikes across the Gulf, we're seeing this ferment and tumult taking place. And I have to add one other piece of breaking news that we've secured, this out of Pakistan, the commercial capital of Karachi, where we have rescue workers citing five people dead as a crowd tried to storm the U.S. consulate in Karachi, some 20 people injured, and that the crowd was reportedly angry about the ongoing conflict in Iran.

As we try to pursue this further, Becky, it just shows how emotions and politics are being inflamed far further than even the region that you're in right now.

ANDERSON: Yes. And we will follow that and get our viewers more as we get it.

Ivan Watson, I do want to push our viewers to your digital offering today, focused on Iran's isolation. And this is a good read. And I, you know, I push you to it, folks. Ivan writes, "The joint U.S. and Israeli surprise attack on Saturday revealed how few friends were willing to stand beside Ayatollah Ali Khamenei."

It's a good analysis. That's on CNN Digital and well worth a read. Ivan, thank you.

Well, U.S. President Trump and Israel say they are not done bombing Iran. Just ahead, Iran's retaliation following the death of its supreme leader.

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[02:38:47]

ANDERSON: Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency says the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has launched a sixth wave of attacks on Israel and U.S. bases in the region. This comes the day after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top officials were killed in joint U.S. and Israeli strikes. Iran now promising to respond with, quote, "the heaviest offensive operations in its history."

Let me get you to our Paula Hancocks in Dubai. And, Paula, what is the scene where you are?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, it's certainly been a sleepless night for people across the Gulf. And we know here in Dubai that people were woken up at about 8 o'clock this morning to more interceptions overhead. Then a couple of hours later, we heard a number of interceptions just above the bureau. So it's been pretty consistent, the incoming missiles, potentially drones, coming in to this area. We know in Abu Dhabi as well, there have been explosions heard overhead.

Now, we are hearing from Iranian state-affiliated media, as you say, that this morning was the sixth wave, they say, that they are targeting U.S. military targets.

[02:40:09]

Here in Dubai, we have seen, and we drove past it as we were coming from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, Jabal Ali. This is a commercial port in Dubai. We have -- we understand that the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet has used it in the past. But this appears to have been hit once again.

Now, potentially, it is debris from an intercepted missile that has hit this area, as opposed to a direct strike itself. But still, we did see very thick black smoke as we drove past that area in the port area. This is a very large and significantly commercial port in Dubai.

We also know from officials that two people have been injured here, that debris from intercepted missiles fell into the courtyard of two houses, and that has injured people. We have heard -- and this was several hours ago, this number will be updated shortly, I'm sure -- at least 137 missiles, more than 200 drones, have been intercepted coming into the UAE, that's according to officials.

But as I say, we have heard and seen in the sky above us a number of further interceptions. It's worth pointing out the road from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, which is generally chock-a-block, very busy. It was fairly deserted. People are taking this stay-in-shelter, remain-in-shelter order very seriously, many people staying inside, as officials have told them to. Becky?

ANDERSON: Paula Hancocks is in Dubai for you this morning. Thank you, Paula.

Well, joining us now is Retired Major General Mick Ryan of the Australian Army. He's also a senior fellow for Military Studies at the Lowy Institute. Good to have you, sir. Thank you for joining us.

You pointed out in the first wave of U.S. attacks that the first reports are almost always wrong in war. And I quote you there, fair point, but it's clear the first wave of strikes on Iran were a decapitation attack, taking out key leadership, and that was successful.

Let's be clear, the bench is very deep in Iran, and we will watch for news on who will take leadership roles going forward. But what do you make of that first significant wave Saturday morning?

MAJ. GEN. MICK RYAN (RET.), AUSTRALIAN ARMY: Well, I think what we've seen is the initial wave, which is about several elements. First is breaking down Iran's ability to exercise cohesive command and control. Part of that is destroying or killing senior government and military officials. They're doing that, but I think there's more to come there. But secondly, it's about breaking down Iran's defenses against aircraft and other systems that Israel and America might want to use in subsequent phases of their attacks. They don't appear to be done. And with President Trump's most recent comments, he appears to be opening up the door for future strikes.

ANDERSON: Military sites, the focus for attacks as well, we were told, particularly from the Israelis. Iran, though, still clearly has the infrastructure to launch missiles and drone strikes witness what we're seeing here in the UAE and across the region as we speak. What do you expect then to see next as part of what Donald Trump has described as this massive military operation, which could go on for days?

RYAN: Well, the Iranian retaliatory attacks have not been very effective so far. They've caused some damage, but most of the missiles and drones they've launched have been intercepted. But the Iranians have had years to prepare for this, and we should expect that they still have missiles and drones cached away where the Israelis and Americans either don't know where they are or where they can't get to at the moment. So we'll see subsequent waves of attacks, but whether they're going to be any more effective than what they've already been remains to be seen.

ANDERSON: Good to have you, Mick. Thank you very much indeed for joining us.

You are up to speed, folks. We will be right back with more of our continuing coverage after this.

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[02:49:11]

ANDERSON: Well, scenes of celebration have erupted in London at the news of the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Crowds gathered on the streets of Finchley, for example, home to a large Iranian diaspora community. It was embracing of strangers, neighbors, dancing to Persian music and waving the flag of the Iranian monarchy. Some celebrated what they called an historic moment, while others told CNN that the scene was bittersweet, expressing hope for change in Iran, but also concerned for family members still there.

Let's get to Ambassador Dan Shapiro, who joins us now live from London. He's a former US ambassador to Israel and now a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council.

I want to talk about what's going on in Iran and what might happen next. Before I do, I know that you've had to seek shelter overnight there in Israel. What are -- where are you and what are you hearing and seeing there?

[02:50:10]

DAN SHAPIRO, DISTINGUISHED FELLOW, ATLANTIC COUNCIL: Sure. Thanks, Becky. Yes, still in Tel Aviv, and there were sirens about 1:00 in the morning, missiles that came in, then a break of a few hours. Then about 6:00 a.m., there was a series of sirens. And so, for the next hour, hour and a half, people in central Israel were in sirens. We've done it again once since then.

So the Iranians are still clearly getting rockets -- missiles launched. It means they still have launch capability. I'm sure the Israeli and U.S. Air Forces will be continuing to try to degrade that capability. But until now, they're still able to get them.

So far, there was one last night that struck in Tel Aviv, killed one individual and injured a number of others. I believe those are the only casualties I've heard of so far in the Iranian strike. So mostly, the air defenses in Israel are holding.

ANDERSON: But as you rightly point out, clear evidence there and here in the UAE that Iran still has the capability to launch attacks. Since the announcement was killed, and that was an official announcement on Iranian state media, we have heard from Iran that their retaliation will be massive. Donald Trump says he knows who he wants to lead the country going forward.

He says he's not going to say. But I guess the question to you is not only who is likely to succeed him, but also whether we are looking at what would be a hardline, closed security mindset, as one person here described it to me, or someone with a strategic outlook seeking what I know this region would hope, recalibration and repositioning. What's your sense of what may happen next and what the U.S. understands to be this day after moment?

SHAPIRO: The first thing I want to say about the death of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is that when I learned of it, I immediately began to think about the hundreds, thousands of American service members killed in Iraq by terrorist organizations sponsored by Iran.

He has a lot of their blood on his hands, people I've known. And then many others around the region, obviously many Iranian citizens, Lebanese, Israelis, Syrians, Iraqis, and others who have died at the hand of the Iranian regime that he led. So it's a historic day, and his demise is not anything to be mourned. It is -- no one should shed a tear over that.

It does leave a very big question that I think no one knows the answer to, including analysts in Israel, analysts in the United States, analysts around the region, exactly what's coming next. There are a couple of possibilities. One is that essentially the regime holds. It may be weaker, but it's a sufficiently durable structure of clerics and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij to take care of domestic security, that even in a weakened form and with new faces and other leaders filling in for those who have been killed, essentially the regime holds.

It may be deterred, may not want to get back into its nuclear and missile programs as fast to provoke President Trump to continue attacks, but they could hold. Of course, the second possibility is that it's replaced by something even more hardline, probably led by the IRGC, and in this case really determined with the same ideology and the same hostility to crush their own people's protests and to continue to project maybe indirectly, asymmetrically through terror rather than through missiles, aggression against various parties around the region.

And then there's the third possibility, of course, which is that the regime really does collapse. This is, of course, what President Trump called for, for the Iranian people to rise up and take over, and maybe IRGC members would lay down their arms. He offered them immunity. Not sure they'd get that from their own public.

And -- but what follows the collapse is the great unknown, because it could be chaos, it could produce splinter sects or splinter groups, ethnic groups or different regional groups that want to have a challenge to the central authority. There could even be tensions with neighbors.

So it could be a very chaotic internal situation. Obviously, we would hope that a collapse would be followed by a more democratic and more stable and less chaotic government, but that's not often been the case when these kinds of dictatorships meet their demise.

[02:55:07]

ANDERSON: You'd have to assume that there was more than hope from this Trump administration having carried out this decapitation attack and asking for the people of Iran to rise up and the -- those involved with the Revolutionary Guard to lay down their arms. Let's see whether there is indeed a plan behind the scenes. It's not clear at this point.

Dan, it's good to have you, as ever. Stay safe there in Tel Aviv and thank you very much indeed.

And thanks for joining us --

SHAPIRO: Thank you.

ANDERSON: -- for this hour. I'm Becky Anderson, but I'll continue our breaking news coverage after this short break. Stay with us.