Skip to main content

CBS News: Gabbard says Iranian leadership's intentions are less clear than before war

March 19, 2026

Democratic Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado asked Gabbard multiple questions about the new Iranian leadership and their intentions. The president himself has said the status of Iranian leadership isn't clear following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

On Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, Gabbard said "it is unclear of his status or his involvement." The clerical body responsible for selecting the new supreme leader announced Mojtaba Khamenei as the new leader on March 8, but he has not been seen in public. 

"He was injured very severely through one of the Israeli strikes," Gabbard said. "And so the decision-making is unclear about what's happening in the Iranian leadership." 

"So we're less certain of the positions of Iranian leadership and their intentions than we were 60 days ago, correct?" Crow asked. 

"That's an accurate assessment," Gabbard said.