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| Mojtaba Khamenei is officially announced as Iran’s new leader as the ongoing Iran war escalates and global oil prices rise amid growing geopolitical tensions. |
The war involving the United States and Israel against Iran entered its ninth and tenth days with a significant development. The most notable event was the official announcement of Mojtaba Khamenei’s leadership as Iran’s new leader, as the conflict continues to escalate and pushes oil prices higher in global markets.
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was officially introduced Sunday night as the third leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The announcement came despite earlier warnings from the President of the United States, Donald Trump, regarding the ongoing conflict.
Iran International had previously reported on March 2 that the Assembly of Experts was under pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei as the successor to his father, Ali Khamenei, who was reported killed.
In the city of Isfahan, supporters of the government gathered in the city’s historic square while the sound of explosions could be heard nearby. The gathering reflected continued support from pro-government groups despite the tense security situation.
Several Iranian politicians and state institutions later issued statements declaring loyalty to the new leader. In a statement, the country’s Defense Council said it would obey the orders of the commander-in-chief “until the last drop of blood.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. president offered only a brief response to the announcement. Speaking to the Times of Israel on Sunday evening, Donald Trump simply said, “We’ll see what happens.”
Military strikes continued on Sunday and Monday across multiple Iranian cities. At the same time, Iran launched retaliatory attacks against Israel and several countries in the region.
Inside Iran, reports from citizens pointed to disruptions in fuel distribution. Messages sent to Iran International said several gas stations in Karaj, Tehran, and nearby areas had closed, while gasoline rationing began to appear in some locations.
Residents reported that the Dadman and Yadegar fuel stations in Tehran were closed Monday due to a lack of gasoline, leaving drivers unable to refuel.
A resident also reported that fuel stations in Lavasan had shut down, while long lines of vehicles formed outside the remaining open stations.
Another citizen said some gas stations in eastern and northeastern Tehran had been closed since the evening of March 6.
Beyond Iran’s borders, the conflict also affected neighboring countries. The government of Turkey announced Monday that NATO air defense systems had shot down a ballistic missile fired from Iran after it entered Turkish airspace. It marked the second such incident since the war began.
At the same time, the government of Israel reiterated that the objective of the war is to bring down Iran’s ruling government, signaling a further escalation in political tensions surrounding the conflict.
Concerns about global energy stability have also intensified. Reuters reported, citing a source in the government of France, that members of the Group of Seven are considering a joint release of emergency oil reserves.
Finance ministers from G7 countries — the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, France, Italy, and Germany — are scheduled to meet Monday to discuss the proposal.
In Europe, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said there should be no sympathy for Iran’s government. Speaking at the annual meeting of European Union ambassadors in Brussels, she urged leaders to focus on current realities.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio referenced the conflict during a flag-raising ceremony marking the U.S. Day of Hostages and Wrongfully Detained Americans.
Rubio said that when it comes to hostage-taking, there has been no worse offender than the regime of ayatollahs in Tehran. He added that leaders of the regime are now being targeted and that the government’s power is weakening day by day.
Rubio also mentioned the anniversary of the disappearance of Robert Levinson in Iran on March 9, saying the case reflects the nature of the government in Tehran.
As the war continues, the announcement of Mojtaba Khamenei’s leadership and the prolonged conflict are increasing global geopolitical tensions while pushing oil prices higher amid uncertainty in the global energy market.
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