Iran: The Latest Exclusive: Why Iran's new leader survived & how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
21 snips
Mar 16, 2026 
Akhtar Makoii, The Telegraph foreign correspondent who obtained leaked IRGC audio, reveals how Mojtaba Khamenei narrowly survived the strikes and why he rose to power. Jack Watling, RUSI land warfare expert and author, outlines military options to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and limits of force. They also discuss allied roles, mine-countermeasures, and wider regional risks including China’s maritime moves.
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Leaked Audio Explains Mojtaba Khamenei's Escape
- Akhtar Makoii obtained a leaked 3.5-minute audio from Mazahir Hosseini explaining how Mojtaba Khamenei survived the strikes on his family's compound.
- Hosseini says Mojtaba stepped into the yard and then upstairs minutes before a missile hit, sustaining only a minor leg injury.
War Provided Succession Opportunity For Mojtaba
- The war itself likely enabled Mojtaba's rapid ascent to Supreme Leader in a way that peacetime succession would not have.
- Akhtar Makoii explains Ali Khamenei opposed family succession, so the conflict created the political opportunity for Mojtaba's selection.
Combine Military Action With Political Negotiation
- Reopening the Strait of Hormuz requires both military action to reduce Iranian attack capacity and a political track to negotiate de-escalation.
- Jack Watling warns pure military fixes (e.g., escorts, CAPs) are resource intensive and can't eliminate persistent threats like drones and explosive boats.
