RismadarVoice Reporters, March 9, 2026
Hardliners in Iran staged rallies across several cities on Monday to show support for the country’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, following the death of his father.
State media showed large crowds gathering in cities including Tehran and Isfahan, waving Iranian flags and displaying portraits of the late leader while chanting in support of the new leadership.
Mojtaba Khamenei, a 56-year-old Shi’ite cleric believed to have strong ties to Iran’s security establishment, has received pledges of loyalty from political institutions and military bodies, including members of the country’s elite Revolutionary Guards.
The leadership change comes as the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States continues to intensify, raising concerns about stability across the Middle East.
President Donald Trump criticized the appointment, saying the decision could complicate efforts to end the conflict.
Meanwhile, the war has disrupted global energy supplies after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil shipments. The disruption has forced several Gulf producers to reduce output.
Oil prices surged sharply during trading on Monday, with Brent crude briefly rising above $119 per barrel before easing later in the day.
The conflict has also spread beyond Iran’s borders. Turkey said NATO air defences intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran that entered Turkish airspace.
Israeli forces reported launching new strikes in central Iran and in Beirut in neighbouring Lebanon, targeting positions linked to the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.
According to Iranian officials at the United Nations, more than 1,300 civilians have been killed in Iran since the conflict began, while hundreds more have died in Lebanon and several people have been killed in Israel.
The latest developments have heightened fears of a prolonged conflict in the region, with potential implications for global energy markets and economic stability.
