Sunday, March 1

0:00Confronting high credit card debt can feel scary, but the good news is if you owe $10,000 or more in credit card debt, financial relief options are now available. National debt relief is currently offering debt relief designed to reduce what you owe and put you on the fast track to becoming debt-free. If you qualify for debt relief, you may be able to pay back less than what you owe and save thousands of dollars. Just visit nationaldebtrelief.com. Imagine only paying one low monthly program payment you can afford and saving money as you become debt-free. National debt relief has already helped bring debt relief to over 550,000 U.S. consumers, earning thousands of five star reviews and an A-plus rating with the Better Business Bureau. You're stronger than your credit card debt. Let today be the day you start turning things around. Take the first step and visit nationaldebtrelief.com to see what debt relief you may qualify for. That's nationaldebtrelief.com. Good morning, America. We have lots to get to here on our top story. New strikes,

1:03Rock Tehran this morning while Iran is staging widening counter-attacks after the country confirmed its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Hamane has been killed. New video appears to show air defenses and Qatar intercepting missiles. And we're also getting a closer look at the first 24 hours of Operation Epic Fury. U.S. Central Command releasing these images showing the preparations and execution of the missile and air attacks. Video circulating online showing celebrations in Tehran when the news spread about Hamane's debt. But Iran's parliamentary leadership saying that the U.S. and Israel have crossed a red line and must pay the price. President Trump warning against additional retaliation. We have team coverage this morning in the region, in Washington, and looking at what could happen next, as well as the security concerns across the country. And we begin with Chief Foreign Correspondent Ian Panell and Tel Aviv for us. Good morning, Ian. Good morning, Janay. It feels like we are in the midst of momentous change in the Middle East. The response from Iran, as threatened, has been fast and furious

2:05spreading. Their attacks not just inside the Gulf, but also further afield, hitting in Iraq, even striking in Cyprus, which is, of course, home to an allied military bases, Iran vowing to respond. And that's what we're seeing. This morning, three U.S. service members were killed, five seriously injured, as part of the major combat operations in Iran, according to U.S. officials. This comes as the U.S. and Israel unleash more strikes on Iran. President Trump, with a new warning to the regime, as they vow revenge for the killing of their supreme leader, Ayatollah Hamane. Trump writing on social media overnight, Iran just stated that they're going to hit very hard today, harder than they've ever hit before. They better not do that, however, because if they do, we'll hit them with a force that's never been seen before. Iran confirming the 86-year-old cleric's death on state TV late last night. Al-Payyah Hamane has said he was carrying out his assigned duties in his workplace when he was killed Saturday morning, new satellite imagery showing the extensive damage to Hamane's compound

3:07from above, buildings level. Across Tehran, videos circulating online, capturing cheers heard for miles as new spread of Hamane's death, but in the sign of the divisions in the country, others mourning. The attacks began Saturday morning, targeting Iran's leadership, its military and nuclear facilities. Iranian television, showing massive craters, plumes of smoke and debris scattered throughout Tehran, the initial assault lasting hours. Cars and buildings in flames, Iran saying more than a thousand people were killed or wounded, among them an airstrike on a girl school in the southern city of Minab, leaving more than 100 dead according to state media. The U.S. now investigating, insisting it had never deliberately attacked civilians. The brazen daylight strikes hitting at least nine Iranian cities according to state media. The White House releasing these images, taken during the start of the attacks, President Trump monitoring the situation in real time from Mar-a-Lago, depending on dubbing the operation, epic fury, also sharing these new videos,

4:12Tomahawk missiles launching from a destroyer. Fighter jets taking off from the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln, a barrage of long-range missiles firing into the air. Iran's promised retaliation swift targeting Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East. Israeli air defenses intercepting a barrage of Iranian missiles over Tel Aviv. Some still getting through. One attack coming in right as we were preparing to go on air last night. The air raid siren has just gone off once again. It's been going all day. Already we're seeing the signs of what looks like air defense going up into the sky to try and intercept incoming Iranian missiles all day long. They haven't stopped coming. Iran claiming they've targeted 27 U.S. bases in the region. Dramatic verified videos circulating online showing the extent of their retaliatory strikes from Jordan to a U.S. naval base in Bahrain, where 3,200 Americans stationed this explosion

5:21right nearby. Not far from there. A drone blasting this residential building. Video showing the moment that drone came crashing in. Iran targeting Dubai too. This luxury hotel in Flames. The growing conflict coming as the White House offers different justifications for the attack. Saying this is about preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and to protect American lives. Though without offering evidence, they have been rebuilding their nuclear program. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating eminent threats from the Iranian regime. Well, despite celebrating what they see as success, I think challenges lay ahead for this U.S. Israeli operation. Not least, what happens next inside Iran. Decapitating the leadership is one thing, but it wasn't just about individuals, it was about an entire system, an entire edifice, and removing that is going to be deeply problematic. We've already seen the president say that he wanted the IRG scene. In other words,

6:25the military wing of the regime to come to the side of the people. Well, their response has been furious, and they've attacked across the region. No sign they're going to do that, and that is going to make success in this mission deeply challenging, Jeanne. And those images are jaw dropping, and so we are deeply appreciative of you being there to bring that reporting to us. Thank you. Meanwhile, the fighting in the region is leaving thousands of Americans there uncertain about their situation and their ability to return home. ABC News Chief International correspondent James Longman is in Istanbul, Turkey, with the latest good morning to you, James. Hi, Jeanne. Yeah, Iran promised a response, and boy, is this region feeling it? Virtually every country in the Gulf has now been hit by Iranian drones and missiles, and it doesn't feel like this barrage is going to let up anytime soon. Shock waves across the Middle East this morning as Iran lashes out in response to US and Israeli strikes. No way. That's why it's so loud. Missiles and drones raining down on at least eight

7:28countries across the region, forcing millions to take shelter. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, QA, the UAE, Jordan and Iraq, all in the firing line, every major US base in the region in Iranian sites. Iran also struck the country that had mediated now abandoned talks, defense systems intercepting hundreds of projectiles that some finding their targets and falling debris causing serious damage. The Gulf is home to millions of foreigners and an important transport hub now paralyzed by airspace closure. The captain actually said due to like military conflicts or military escalation in the area and due to airspace restrictions, we have to turn back. It was just pretty much widespread panic on the plane. And Americans who were just visiting the region unsure if or when they'll be able to get home. A lot of explosions, a lot of warnings, a lot of jet sounds. And now US diplomatic missions are broad of being targeted by angry crowds. The US consulate in Karachi stormed and clashes near Baghdad's green zone where the US embassy is

8:32located. Embassy staff and the roughly 35,000 US military personnel in the Middle East all now on high alert. In Tehran, with the internet almost completely cut, the situation is unclear, but some videos are emerging of crowds cheering the death of the Supreme Leader. And this morning, despite Israeli efforts to kill him, Iran's president apparently still alive, vowing revenge, saying the Supreme Leader was martyred at the hands of the most wicked villains in the world. And that his killing is considered a declaration of open war on Muslims, especially Shiites, in all corners of the world. US allies might be urging calm, but right now, no one is listening. In a joint statement, the prime ministers of Germany, France and the United Kingdom, saying they condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms, calling for the resumption of US Iranian negotiations. Many in cities across the globe are welcoming the news of Phamene's death. But many question the legal basis for his killing. Now, the UN is calling for a strength. They're calling on Iran, Israel and the United States to

9:36de-escalate. They're worried about a wider regional conflict. But I've got to tell you guys, it feels like we are already there, Whit. James Longman for us. Thank you so much. Now to what we're learning about President Trump's decision-making process ahead of these military strikes against Iran. ABC News Senior White House correspondent Selena Wang is joining us near Mar-a-Lago in the plans for this attack were months in the making. Yeah, with as exactly right, and the president has been following all of this unfolding from his Mar-a-Lago resort, huddled with his national security team. But now that Iran's supreme leader is dead, the big questions remain. Who will take control next? And how involved is the US going to be? Because Trump has made it very clear this is not over. He said the heavy and pinpoint bombing will continue uninterrupted throughout the week or as long as necessary. And remember, guys, this is a president who had repeatedly promised not to launch another war in the Middle East. But with these strikes, he's essentially done exactly that. He's even warning Americans there could be US casualties. And we've seen the justification for this military action evolved.

10:42The president had claimed for months that the US already obliterated Iran's nuclear sites. But now he insists without providing evidence that Iran was trying to quickly rebuild. Administration officials also tell us that diplomacy was not working. They say that Iran's missile capabilities posed a direct threat to the United States. And now it is also clear, geo, that the president's goal really was regime change all along. All right, Selena Wang there in West Palm Beach. Thank you so much, Selena. Let's bring in ABC News senior political correspondent Rachel Scott and ABC News contributor, Colonel Steve Ganyard. Thank you both for joining us here. Rachel, let's start with you because when everybody was trying to figure out what was going on, you went straight to the source. You called the president. Did he give you a sense of the end game here? And what do you expect to happen next in Iran? Yeah, in jail. When I spoke with the president, he told me he was in the room with his military advisors with military leaders. And I asked him what exactly the intelligence was showing. He said he did believe that they had killed a supreme leader. And then moments later,

11:43we saw him confirm that over on social media. And so then the president telling me it wasn't just a Iran supreme leader that was killed. He said much of the areas, much of their leadership was also destroyed. The president then telling me what exactly comes next. And it's very unclear. And so I asked him, okay, well, if a Iran supreme leader is dead, who takes over? He said, that I don't want to explain. He said, quote, we have a very beautiful plan, a beautiful plan. And then he ended by saying you haven't seen us miss yet. And Rachel, you also talked to him about the negotiations that were still going on at the end of the week. And he talked to you about the breakdown and those. So what went into the president's decision to strike at the time that they did? This was one of the big questions that I had, Janay, because you heard the president for months now insist that Iran's nuclear program was completely obliterated by Operation Midnight Hammer that happened back in June. So I asked him, was there an imminent threat to the United States? Why strike now? The president told me that he believed that they were rebuilding their nuclear weapons, their nuclear firepower. He said, that's just something that we weren't going to let them do. He said, the talks were progressing. They were positive. But at a certain

12:46point, he just did not believe they were going to get there. He said, he did think that there was, in fact, a threat. But again, when it comes to the end game and what happens next, all of that is just very unclear right now. Yeah, a lot of questions. Rachel, we appreciate it. Let's bring in Steve Gander here and Steve now that the Ayatollah and the other top leaders of Iran, many of them have been killed. What are the possible next steps for the U.S. military? Yeah, I think they're going to continue to do what they're doing. Most importantly, the U.S. and Israel have achieved air supremacy over Iran, meaning that there's no surface to air threats, there's no fighters coming up. So we now have continuous U.S. and Israeli presence over Iran. And they will very methodically continue to bring down the military, continue to hit the IRGC, most importantly, trying to find those missile launchers that are launching missiles into the Gulf states. But note also with that they're going after the besiege, and the besiege is the paramilitary force that has been the primary oppressor of those protesters in the street. So this sets the stage for something later on once the bombing stops to be able to

13:50have the Iranian people rise up. Steve, how long could this last? I mean, I think a big question for the American people is, will the U.S. need to send in troops? They won't, Geo. It's just not possible to protect how long it will last. It will probably take another week for the U.S. and Israel to continue to eliminate really any military capability that the Iranians have. But when the regime falls is still a question, what's really also going to happen here at Geo is the economy is going to begin to collapse. They just can't continue this way with, under this kind of bombardment. So it's only a matter of time before we see some resolution. All right, Steve and Rachel, we appreciate you both being with us this morning. Now to Capitol Hill and the reaction from lawmakers there, ABCs J. O'Brien joined us with reaction on both sides of the aisle. Good morning, Jay. Today, good morning to you. And Congress, of course, has not voted to authorize military action in Iran. Democrats are demanding that Congress return immediately here to Washington to be briefed on this operation and then debate and then vote on curtailing the president's war powers in

14:52Iran. Right now, the Senate is set to return tomorrow night. The House not until midweek. I'm told top congressional leaders were briefed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio at least twice once just before these strikes unfolded. And then last Tuesday before President Trump's state of the Union. And Democrats saying they issued stark warnings to Rubio behind those closed doors. The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Jim Himes, saying that he warned Rubio that striking Iran could, quote, spiral and escalate in ways we cannot anticipate. Despite those concerns, there's no love lost in either party on the Hill for the Ayatollah this morning. Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson saying Iran is facing the, quote, severe consequences of its evil actions. What? Now, J. O'Brien, for us, and news of the strikes against Iran led some American cities to immediately increase their law enforcement presence. ABC News Chief Investigate, of course, won an Aaron Kutersky, has details in Aaron. You've been talking about no imminent threat, but still a big police posture across the country. It's a major city. They've been preparing for this with knowing that this was a possibility. And so this morning,

15:54there are additional police patrolling synagogues and mosques and other locations significant to Jewish and Persian communities in places like New York and Los Angeles and elsewhere. This is all meant to deter a violent act inspired by the U.S. strikes on Iran or disrupt something that may be in the planning stage. In Iran's allies and proxies have been calling for retaliation already. Authority stressed there is nothing specific, but law enforcement sources tell ABC News the FBI is increasing surveillance of certain individuals and scanning online for signs of plotting. The Secret Service is increasing security around the White House and the President who Iran has targeted before. In fact, trial began just a few days ago in Brooklyn of a Pakistani man with ties to Iran who was accused of plotting to kill President Trump. Iran has also advanced has advanced cyber capabilities that could deploy. And so while a large-scale physical attack is unlikely, Homeland Security officials say Iran, even in its weakened state, could still try to disrupt American networks. All right, so it is all very concerning. Thank you so much, Aaron,

16:59for your reporting. Now what the fighting in the Middle East could mean for the cost of gas here at home. And ABC's Andrew Dumbert is looking at the numbers. Andrew, good morning. Good morning, Gio. Gas prices could be going up after the strikes on Iran with oil flows out of the Middle East facing an uncertain future in the days and weeks ahead. Iran is threatening to close the strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important choke points for the commodity. 20 percent of the world's oil passes through this waterway and Reuters reports that the Iranian revolutionary guard is radiating ships in the area to say that no ship is allowed to pass. And some tankers in the region that we've been following have seemed to turn around. Iran has made this threat before to close the strait, but has never successfully done so. Either way, some disruption of oil exports is expected with at least one analyst telling ABC news crude oil could jump five to 10 percent after hovering around a five-year low before the attack, meaning gas prices at the pump. The national average could hit over three dollars a gallon for the first time this year, Gio. So Andrew, besides the potential higher prices for gas here,

18:01how else could everyday Americans be impacted? So I'm told there are also concerns in the energy sector that natural gas prices could spike as well, which could lead to higher electricity costs if this conflict drags on. All right, Andrew Dumbert. Thank you so much for that. A lot to watch there. All right, switching gears here. Time now for the weather. Cheryl Scott from our Chicago station, WLS is here with us. Cheryl, you're watching a lot as well. Yes, some good news here, though. It is officially the start of meteorological spring. A lot of us looking forward to that. However, we're starting off with some wintry weather, some light snow falling across the northeast. This will be a quick hitting system. So we're talking less than an inch from New York up towards Boston. Now the higher elevations could see one to three inches. What you will notice is this quick shot of cold air moving in overnight across the Great Lakes. We're waking up with winchills in the teens up towards Northern New England. It's going to feel like it's five to 20 below. We also have a system getting going here in the middle of the country. Winter weather advisories up for Northern Missouri. You can see a wintry mix of precip from Topeka to St. Louis. So a glaze of ice

19:05and some snow expected there today. Some slick travel along I 70. This quickly races to the east. We're waking up tomorrow. DC to Philadelphia. A quick shot of some ice and snow as you head out the door, but this will quickly transition to rain, where we will find some accumulating snow will be Northern New England. And we'll also be monitoring a severe weather threat the middle of the country here for the middle to the end of this week. And we'll keep our eyes on that back to you guys. All right. It'll be busy for a few days, Cheryl. Thank you. So coming up here on GMA, we'll go back out live to the region for the latest on the ongoing strikes in Iran. Plus, breaking overnight at least three people dead following a bar shooting in Austin, Texas, what we're learning this morning. And two people. Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. The message for everyone paying big wireless way too much. Please for the love of everything goodness world stop. With Mint, you can get premium wireless for just $15 a month. Of course, if you enjoy overpay no judgments, but that's weird. Okay, one judgment. Anyway, give it a try at mintmobile.com slash switch up front payment of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per

20:10month required intro rate for three months only then full price plan options available. Taxes and fees extra see full terms at mintmobile.com confronting high credit card debt can feel scary. But the good news is if you owe $10,000 or more in credit card debt, financial relief options are now available. National debt relief is currently offering debt relief designed to reduce what you owe and put you on the fast track to becoming debt free. If you qualify for debt relief, you may be able to pay back less than what you owe and save thousands of dollars. Just visit national debt relief dot com. Imagine only paying one low monthly program payment you can afford and saving money as you become debt free. National debt relief has already helped bring debt relief to over 550,000 U.S. consumers earning thousands of five star reviews and an A plus rating with the better business bureau. You're stronger than your credit card debt. Let today be the day you start turning things around. Take the first step and visit national debt relief dot com to see what debt relief you may qualify for. That's national debt relief dot com. But we're left dangling in a hot air balloon that crashed into a radio tower. Look at that

21:13where this happened coming up here on GMA on this Sunday morning. And welcome back to GMA. We are going to begin here this half hour with more stories we're following this Sunday morning breaking news out of Austin where two people were killed and 14 injured in a mass shooting overnight. Police say officers encountered a man with a gun while responding to calls of a shooting near a bar. Officers open fire killing the suspect. No word yet on a motive behind the shooting. Memorial services for civil rights leader Jesse Jackson now head to South Carolina. A memorial caravan ushered Jackson's body from Chicago to his home state. Jackson will lie and repose at the state Capitol Rotunda in Columbia. Funeral services for Jackson are set for Saturday in Chicago. Actor Shia LeBuff arrested again in New Orleans. LeBuff reportedly turned himself into police on Saturday and charged with battery. The additional count is connected to his arrest in the French quarter last month. Police say LeBuff attacked several people during Marty Gras celebrations near Bourbon Street.

22:14He was released on bond, but a new warrant for his arrest was issued on Friday. LeBuff has not entered a plea. And frightening images from northeast Texas. Two people were left dangling more than 900 feet in the air when they're hot air balloon. Look at that crashed into a radio tower in Greg County Saturday morning. Rescuers worked for nearly two hours to safely bring the balloon's passengers down to the ground. And we're glad they're safe. Frightening situation there. All right. More now on the attack on Iran. A mix of support and condemnation after the US and Israel launched that sweeping military campaign against Iran killing this supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Yeah. The strike has sent shockwaves through the Middle East and around the world. Promoting fears of rapid escalation as government respond to this unprecedented moment. We have team coverage from across the region this morning. Chief foreign correspondent Ian Panel in Tel Aviv, Israel Chief International correspondent James Longman from Istanbul Turkey. And ABC is foreign correspondent Marcus Moore and Doha Qatar. So let's start in Israel and tell

23:14us the latest on the reaction and situation in Israel right now. Is it's been a long night for you there? Yeah. A long day yesterday, a long night and it's continued today. I think we're witnessing momentous change in the Middle East. It's a region now consumed with a flames from the US Israeli operation in Iran. Iranian state TV confirming the death of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It's spontaneous scenes of celebration in Iran as civilians cheered. The death of a man who oversaw years of oppression and brutality and the death of thousands of unarmed protestors last month. But in a sign of the deep divisions in the country, tens of thousands also mourning is passing the crowds again, chanting death to America. US and Israeli attacks are reportedly leaving at least a thousand dead or certainly hundreds, one strike hitting a girl school inside Iran according to state media. We're now getting more astonishing detail, though, of those very first moments of the operation yesterday morning. Israeli military officials saying the opening strike killed 40 senior leaders and commanders in Iran, as well as the Ayatollah in the first

24:17minutes. The sign that this mission is above all about regime change. The IDF saying it's creating the military and operational conditions for overthrowing the Iranian regime. Iran's military, though, vowing revenge and the response has been furious. Iranian missiles striking every country in the Gulf, as well as Iraq and Cyprus and here in Israel. A direct hit on a residential building near Jerusalem at this morning, wounding at least 24 critically. And finally, I think there are questions this morning about what comes next in Iran. Taking out the leadership is one thing, but removing the regime much, much different and likely will take longer, guys. Yeah, questions and the details still coming in. Ian, thanks. Let's bring in James monitoring world reaction now from Turkey. James, good morning. Yeah, where Iran said they would respond and boy, we seeing it in this region. We use the word unprecedented a lot in this business, but it is extraordinary to see just how many countries across the Gulf have been struck by Iranian drones and missiles. We're talking Saudi Arabia, Q8, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Iraq,

25:20Oman, the country that was mediating those now failed talks. And the Iranians are trying to strike at US military personnel. There are some 35,000 across the region. There are US bases in many of these countries too. Extraordinary also to see strikes in the UAE, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These are major hubs for commerce, for trade, but also for transport from the world's biggest airports are now paralyzed. They cannot operate because of these drones and missiles coming in. US embassies and diplomatic missions are also in the firing line here, the Karachi, the US consulate there. In Pakistan has been stormed, hearing reports of protests outside the green zone in Baghdad, where the US Embassy is located. So all of this is why the world leaders and the United Nations are calling for a strength they're asking for, Israel, the United States, and Iran to come back around the negotiating table. They're worried about a wider regional conflict, but I've got to tell you, that is exactly what it looks like is already happening, Jere.

26:24Yeah, truly unreal to see those images. James, thank you for your reporting there. And now to Marcus and Qatar, where the US Embassy had advised Americans to shelter in place following those strikes. Marcus, what are you hearing? In Doha, debris from a missile intercept caused a fire outside the city. And this is something that we've been seeing across the region here. We're also seeing new images from overnight showing the missile intercepts that cost explosions that lit up the night sky. And some of these intercepts that we witnessed yesterday shook the building where we are. We've heard from a diplomat who was briefed on the situation, saying that Iran launched more than 70 missiles and drones at Qatar. And this morning, as you just heard James noting, we are seeing a travel mess worsen for some. The airspace is closed across much of the region. People are stuck at airports in Dubai and here in Doha, unsure of when they'll be able to fly out. And of this, certainly, a situation that will be continuing to watch as this situation develops. Jere. 70 missiles fired at Qatar alone. Marcus, our thanks to you and and James for your reporting.

27:30It is time now, though, to switch gears and get a check of the weather with Cheryl Scott from our Chicago station, WLS. Also busy in the weather department, Cheryl. Yes, and a big weather story is the big warm up record warmth across the south and west. Palm Springs 96 yesterday, Phoenix hitting 92 tying for the all-time warmest February temperature and the record temps. They're still in place from southern California all the way to Texas today. You can see Phoenix going up to 94. Now this heat will be sliding to the east as we head through this week. So we are looking at more record potential highs at Lanna up to 82 by Friday, Tulsa near 80 on Tuesday. Here's some welcome news, a little bit of a spring fling across the north and east as we head into the later part of this week with temperatures Chicago 66 on Friday, 40s and 50s for New York City. And we are looking ahead into March and you can see the climate prediction center showing warmer than average temperatures across much of the country. I think a lot of folks are going to enjoy this guys. Yes, see that 50s plus in New York. It's about time. Yeah, we will take it. Thank you.

28:36From 30 for 30 podcasts. Ryan Patta, senior defensive lineman for Miami, gunned down. The key to this case, it's Brian. A hour before he died, he was on a phone arguing what's about. This might be a hit. You want the truth? They just want a conviction. We had a killer monster murder at the U. Listen now. All right, coming up on Good Morning America, going inside Iran's regime with the country's top leaders reportedly killed. What could lie ahead for the country? All right, welcome back to GMA as we look at the possible power struggle in Iran. President Trump said Saturday that there are some good candidates to lead the country after he announced the death of the Supreme Leader, and ABC's Lama Hassan is here with a look inside Iran's regime. Lama, good morning. Yeah, good morning to you, Gio. Ayatollah Ali Hameini's death is undoubtedly a significant blow to the regime,

29:37but according to the Iranian Constitution, there is a system in place, and they'll want to show that there'll be a smooth succession. So the question is, what happens next? This morning, amid the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hameini and his top military brass, President Trump demanding a regime change, appealing directly to the Iranian people to take control. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. But the big question, what's next, and who replaces the Iranian regime if it falls? President Trump writing, hopefully the IRGC and police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots and work together as a unit to bring back the country to the greatness it deserves. He's looking for an exit. He wants to see people rise up. He wants to see people in the army and the IRGC, the revolutionary guards, the fact and cause the implosion of the government so that he can declare victory and end the military operations. And by that, make sure that this does not drag out to something

30:42that will be politically costly for him at home. Outside the current Iranian power structure, Reza Bahlavi, the son of the Shah, overthrown by the Islamic Revolution in 1979. He's recently touted himself as position to ensure a stable transition. 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khomeini led the Islamic Republic since 1989. The Shi'i Muslim cleric was a nation's supreme leader and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. His critics accusing him of brutally repressing domestic descent. Most recently, protests this year that may have led to tens of thousands of deaths. The Iranian regime is designed to survive an assassination attempt. But what the regime did not anticipate was the strikes that decimated the chain of command, killing seven senior defense and intelligence officials. But if the regime doesn't fall, then potential players to succession could include the Ayatollah's second eldest child,

31:42Mosh Taba Khomeini. He served in the Iran Iraq War from 1987 to 1988, heading Iran's militia known as the Besiege. Experts suggest that if the current clerical regime fails, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, which controls significant economic and military power, could seize control. So President Trump is hoping the IRGC, the most powerful armed force, and one that the U.S. has designated as a terror group to team up with the police to take over the country, but so many Iranians see them as brutal hardliners. So it's very hard to see them accepting this kind of leadership, Janay. So much that we'll be watching. Lama, thank you. Still coming up here in Good Morning America, putting the U.S. Israel strikes on Iran into perspective. ABC News, Chief Global Affairs anchor Martha Raditz takes a look at how we got here and what the future could bring when we return. We are back now on GMA looking at some big picture takeaways in Iran and what the future there could look like. We turned to ABC News, Chief Global Affairs anchor Martha Raditz. Martha, thank you for being with us. A lot of people want to know now how

32:47did nuclear negotiations fall apart so dramatically that it led to this wide-scale military force? Well, I think the U.S. demands were pretty powerful. They wanted Iran to absolutely give up its nuclear weapons program, and they started saying they wanted the ballistic missile program to end as well. For the Iranians, that seemed to be a step too far. Now, I think we do have to go back and remember that President Trump just last week in the State of the Union said the nuclear program had been obliterated. They haven't offered any evidence that Iran is still involved in that, but that was the U.S. demand. And we heard Iran say, yes, we'll give up a nuclear weapon, but it's much more complicated than that. These agreements are extremely minute. You have so many details that you have to agree on. Do you agree to inspectors? What's next? What's next? How long will that last? Is there any limit? And for Iran, Iran is known for stalling and stalling

33:48and stalling. Look over the past decades. We had the JCPOA, that nuclear deal, about 10 years ago, that took endless, endless negotiations. And I think President Trump's patience just ran out. And Martha, now that the Supreme Leader of Iran and others have reportedly been killed, what could the succession of power look like in that country and what influence does the U.S. hope to have? I think what we saw in what Lama was just talking about is President Trump really is relying on the people because that is what has to happen now. Those leaders have been taken out, the IRGC. Are they going to lay down their weapons or face, as President Trump said, certain death? That is still a very big question. And the thing I keep thinking about is for those people, for those, that opposition that I've seen up close in Iran, this is an extremely dangerous time. They will face the IRGC. They will face those hardliners. You have 92 million people in that

34:51country and a great number of them are hardliners. Opposition has been so incredibly brave, but we all know tens of thousands have been killed over the years. So this is a critical time for them. Meanwhile, their country is being bombed. So this will play out in the coming weeks and the strength of those people, what they're able to accomplish and whether the IRGC drops their weapons. Huge question. Absolutely. Dangerous times indeed. Meanwhile, Martha, you've been on the ground there in Iran many times. We've seen you there. You're seeing up close what life looks like under the regime. There you are right there. And how U.S. sanctions have been affecting people there. So how could these attacks change things for the people of Iran? The economy is close to crumbling. It really is. And I really have seen the suffering of the people and the repression. So if it, if the opposition wins, if those sanctions are lifted, things could get better, but that's a very, very big F guys.

35:51Now, so many questions and so much at stake in all of this. Martha, we appreciate it as always. And tune into this week later. Rinse knows that greatness takes time, but so does laundry. So rinse will take your laundry and hand-deliver it to your door, expertly cleaned. And you can take the time pursuing your passions. Time one spent sorting and waiting, folding and queuing, now spent challenging and innovating and pushing your way to greatness. So pick up the Irish flute or those calligraphy pens or that daunting beef Wellington recipe card and leave the laundry to us. Rinse, it's time to be great. You are the most important relationship. Before you swipe text or worry about being too much, start with you. Growth therapy helps you build self-worth, set boundaries and show up as your full self. Whether it's your first time in therapy or your 50th, grow makes it easier to find a therapist who fits you, not the other way around. They connect you with thousands of independent licensed therapists across the US, offering both virtual and in-person sessions, nights and weekends.

36:54You can search by what matters, like insurance, specialty identity or availability, and get started in as little as two days. And if something comes up, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance at no cost. There are no subscriptions, no long-term commitments. You just pay per session. Growth helps you find therapy on your time. Whatever challenges you're facing, growth therapy is here to help. Growth accepts over 100 insurance plans, including Medicaid in some states. Sessions average about $21 with insurance and some pay as little as $0 depending on their plan. Visit growthherapy.com slashbooknow to get started. That's growthherapy.com slashbooknow. Growthherapy.com slashbooknow. Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan. George Stephanopoulos speaks with Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and Republican Senator James Langford about Iran's future. Keep it right here. We'll be right back. And tune in tonight for an ABC News special. Shock waves the attack on Iran at nine Eastern here on ABC, Disney Plus, and we'll see you tomorrow. Bye-bye.