Mojtaba Khamenei Becomes Iran’s Supreme Leader as US-Israel War with Tehran Intensifies Across West Asia
Iran has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as its new Supreme Leader, according to announcements from Iranian state media, following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in recent joint military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel.
The leadership transition comes as the armed confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran moved into its second week, with military activity intensifying across multiple fronts in the region.
Assembly of Experts Selects New Leader
Members of the influential clerical body responsible for appointing Iran’s highest authority—the Assembly of Experts—announced that Mojtaba Khamenei had been chosen by what they described as a decisive vote.
The council urged citizens to rally behind the country’s new leadership during what it called a challenging period for the nation.
Mojtaba Khamenei, who has long been regarded as an influential figure within Iran’s political and security establishment, is believed to have strong ties with the country’s military institutions and the powerful economic networks that developed during his father’s rule.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian welcomed the appointment, describing it as a step that would reinforce national cohesion amid wartime pressures.
Iran Launches Missile Barrage After Appointment
Shortly after Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the leadership position, Iran launched a new wave of missile attacks toward Israel. Iran’s state broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), reported that the first round of missiles was fired toward Israeli-controlled territories in response to ongoing strikes.
The broadcaster also circulated images of a missile bearing the slogan “At Your Command, Sayyid Mojtaba,” signalling support for the newly appointed supreme leader.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military confirmed that its defence systems were activated after detecting incoming missiles heading toward Tel Aviv, with interception systems deployed to neutralise the threat.
Intensified Military Operations Across the Region
Over the weekend, Israeli and American forces reportedly carried out extensive airstrikes on Iranian targets in Tehran, including oil facilities and strategic infrastructure. The strikes sparked large fires in several locations.
More than 80 Israeli fighter aircraft participated in a major aerial operation targeting the Imam Hussein University in Tehran and underground storage sites believed to house ballistic missiles.
At the same time, Gulf countries reported continued Iranian drone and missile attacks. Authorities in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia said their air defence systems intercepted over 200 drones and missiles within 24 hours.
Captured Soldiers Claim Disputed
Iranian security official Ali Larijani claimed that several American soldiers had been captured since the conflict began. However, the United States Central Command dismissed the assertion, stating that no American troops had been taken prisoner.
Despite the denial, the war has already caused casualties among US forces. The United States Department of Defence confirmed that another American soldier had died from injuries sustained during Iran’s early missile attacks in the region.
According to US Central Command, the soldier had been critically wounded during a strike targeting American troops stationed in Saudi Arabia on March 1. Officials said the identity of the service member would remain confidential until family members had been notified.
Fighting Spreads to Lebanon Border
Hostilities have also spread to Lebanon, where clashes erupted near the town of Nabi Sheet after Israeli troops reportedly landed by helicopter near the Lebanese-Syrian border.
The state-run National News Agency of Lebanon reported heavy gunfire and airstrikes as local forces attempted to repel Israeli units advancing toward the mountainous border region.
Trump Halts Diplomacy and Boosts Arms Supply
US President Donald Trump has suspended all diplomatic negotiations with Iran and authorised a new weapons package worth $151 million for Israel.
Speaking about rising oil prices resulting from the conflict, Trump said temporary increases were “a small price to pay” for global security and stability.
In an interview with ABC News, the president also suggested that Iran’s newly appointed leader would struggle to remain in power without American approval.
Oil Markets Surge Amid Hormuz Crisis
Energy markets reacted sharply to the escalating conflict. Oil prices surged dramatically due to fears of prolonged disruptions in shipments through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude jumped more than 20 per cent in early trading, briefly reaching around $111 per barrel—its highest level since mid-2022.
The contract had already climbed about 12 per cent at the end of last week and has surged more than 35 per cent over the past several days as tensions intensified.
Regional Infrastructure Under Threat
The war has increasingly threatened civilian and strategic infrastructure across the Middle East.
Authorities in Bahrain accused Iran of launching strikes on a desalination facility—critical infrastructure that provides drinking water for Gulf nations.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia reported that a projectile struck a residential complex, killing an Indian national and injuring several residents from India and Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Dubai’s Dubai International Airport temporarily halted operations after missile alerts and nearby explosions raised security concerns.
Diplomatic Reactions from Global Leaders
French President Emmanuel Macron said he had spoken with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, urging Tehran to halt attacks against neighbouring countries and guarantee freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Macron also reiterated concerns about Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and warned that these issues lay at the centre of the ongoing crisis.
Separately, Macron announced that France and Egypt had agreed to strengthen efforts to secure shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
In another development, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, president of Ukraine, said Kyiv was prepared to send experts to assist civilians affected by the war and to help protect American troops stationed in parts of the Middle East.
Casualties Continue to Rise
The conflict has resulted in heavy human losses across multiple countries. Reports indicate that more than 1,230 people have died in Iran, while at least 397 fatalities have been recorded in Lebanon and over a dozen deaths in Israel.
In response to the worsening situation, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that an Iranian naval ship, IRIS Lavan, had been allowed to dock in Kochi for humanitarian reasons after another vessel from the same fleet was reportedly sunk by a US submarine.
Global Concerns Over Legality of Strikes
Criticism of the military campaign has also emerged internationally. Switzerland’s defence minister, Martin Pfister, said that the joint strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran represented a violation of international law.
As fighting continues and diplomatic tensions deepen, fears are growing that the widening war could further destabilise the Middle East and disrupt global energy supplies.
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