From the New York Times, it's the headlines.

I'm Tracy Mumford.

Today's Wednesday, March 4th.

Here's what we're covering.

The Times has learned Iran is on the verge of selecting its next supreme leader to head the regime after the U.S. Israeli attacks killed Ayatollah Ali Hamenei

over the weekend. According to three Iranian officials, the frontrunner is Hamanae's son,

Mosthabah Khomein. He's an influential but reclusive figure, known for his close ties to the country's

Revolutionary Guards. One analyst in Tehran said that hard-line supporters of Iran's government known for his close ties to the country's revolutionary guards.

One analyst in Tehran said that hard-line supporters of Iran's government could back him quickly,

viewing him as picking up the mantle of his martyred father.

But a large portion of Iran could reject him for the very same reason,

seeing him as a continuation of the oppressive regime that's killed thousands of anti-government protesters in just the last few months. The clerics, making the selection,

could announce their decision as soon as today. It comes after President Trump said yesterday

that the U.S.-Israeli strikes had taken out some of the Iranian officials the White House had viewed as potential successors.

And now we have another group. They may be dead also based on reports. So I guess you have a third wave coming in.

Pretty soon we're not going to know anybody. Trump did not say specifically who the U.S. wanted to see lead the country.

I guess the worst case would be we do this, and then somebody takes over who's as bad as the previous person, right?

That could happen. We don't want that to happen. It would probably be the worst you go through this.

And then in five years you realize you put somebody in who was no better.

In all, Trump seems to be distancing himself from any long-term plans for Iran,

which analysts say adds a new level of uncertainty to the situation.

For years in Washington, we've heard about this maxim called the Pottery Barn Rule.

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