Micah Jonah, March 9, 2026
Senior military and political leaders in Iran have pledged allegiance to Mojtaba Khamenei following his appointment as the country’s new supreme leader after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei.
The development comes amid ongoing military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, with reports of explosions in cities including Tehran and Qom.
The attacks followed earlier Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities, which reportedly caused heavy smoke across parts of the capital.
US President Donald Trump criticised the decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, describing it as a “big mistake.”
Speaking to US media, Trump also said it was “too soon” to discuss the possibility of seizing Iran’s oil resources, but added that such an option had not been ruled out.
The conflict has heightened tensions across the Middle East, with missile and drone attacks reported in several Gulf states.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi said the country’s regional attacks were defensive, aimed at preventing further strikes by US forces operating from bases across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it had launched missiles at a satellite communications facility belonging to the Israel Defense Forces in central Israel.
Elsewhere, Rachel Reeves warned that the escalating conflict could push global energy prices higher and called for rapid de-escalation to protect consumers from rising fuel costs.
Analysts say the war has disrupted global oil and gas supplies, triggered volatility in financial markets and forced millions of people in affected areas to seek shelter as strikes hit military installations, government buildings and infrastructure.
Diplomatic efforts are continuing, with several world leaders calling for dialogue to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
