Iran Fires Missiles as Mojtaba Khamenei Takes Over Leadership
A projectile that crashed into Al-Kharj province of Saudi Arabia resulted in the deaths of two people and the injuries of 12 others.
This US Navy handout photo released by US Central Command public affairs on March 8, 2025 shows Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) firing a Tomahawk land attack missile on March 5, 2026. Photo/Courtesy.
By Ruth Sang
Iran conducted a missile assault against Israel and multiple Gulf nations early on Monday after the announcement of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader of Iran following his father’s death.
The leadership transition occurred nine days after U.S. and Israeli military operations resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei which created higher tensions and drove the Middle East into deeper warfare. Mojtaba Khamenei received selection from Iran’s religious authorities to become the Islamic Republic’s third supreme leader since the 1979 revolution.
Israel executed new airstrikes to destroy central Iranian infrastructure while the military conflict expanded its impact on worldwide markets which led to stock market declines and a 30 percent increase in oil prices due to apprehensions about supply interruptions.
Gulf nations experienced missile attacks during the ongoing conflict. Saudi Arabian forces stopped UAVs which were flying toward an oil facility in its eastern region while the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait confirmed missile attacks. The nation of Bahrain activated its emergency sirens.
Mojtaba Khamenei received his new role from Iranian state television when a presenter read an Assembly of Experts statement in front of the 56-year-old new leader’s picture.
The assembly declared its decision to select Khamenei as the new Islamic Republic leader through an overwhelming vote in favor of his selection. The clerical body announced that it would respond immediately to US and Israeli aggression which they considered to be an ongoing threat.
State media later broadcast footage of a missile reportedly launched toward Israel bearing the message, “At Your Command, Sayyid Mojtaba,” using an Islamic title of respect.
The conflict emerged after Iranian security forces killed thousands of protesters who demonstrated against government policies throughout the nation. Many people believe that Mojtaba Khamenei will continue to follow his father’s strict approach toward dealing with political opposition.
Mojtaba Khamenei appears politically weak to Donald Trump who also asserted that Washington should decide who will become Iran’s next leader.
Trump told ABC News that the leader would not remain in power without our endorsement.
Israel warned that the supreme leader would become a military target because its defense leadership stated that any successor to the previous leader would face similar threats.
Oil Prices Jump
The Iranian response which targeted oil-producing Gulf states led to a rise in global oil prices which exceeded 100 dollars per barrel for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine four years ago.
Trump described the fuel price increase as a minor expense which would help eliminate what he referred to as the Iranian nuclear threat.
Asian financial markets experienced a sharp decline which especially affected Japan and South Korea because those countries depend on imported energy resources.
The US State Department ordered all non-essential employees to evacuate Saudi Arabia after a drone strike targeted the American embassy which indicated that the war would persist.
Trump announced that he would make the decision about ending the war in partnership with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump told the Times of Israel that I think the decision will be shared between us after we finish our talks which will determine the best time for me to proceed with all our discussions.
The younger Khamenei who maintains close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is expected to maintain Iran’s political path according to many analysts.
The Revolutionary Guards declared their allegiance to the new leader by committing themselves to follow all his orders.
Abbas Araghchi who serves as Iran’s Foreign Minister expressed his support for Khamenei by asserting that Khamenei’s election would protect the nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Fighting Intensifies Across the Region
The conflict has spread into Lebanon where violent confrontations saw an increase on Monday. The Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah reported that its fighters were engaged in combat with Israeli soldiers who had crossed into eastern Lebanon from Syria using 15 helicopters.
Hezbollah reported that their fighters started fighting both the helicopters and the incoming soldiers who were coming to the area.
Lebanon’s National News Agency earlier reported heavy fighting near the town of Nabi Sheet. An Israeli operation there over the weekend reportedly killed 41 people.
Israel targeted a Beirut hotel on Sunday because it believed that five Iranian Revolutionary Guards Qods Force commanders were having a meeting there. The airstrike which hit the area killed four people while ten others suffered injuries according to attacks conducted by the Lebanon health ministry.
The Lebanese government stated that Israeli attacks have resulted in 394 deaths since the conflict began which includes women and children among the victims.
The island of Sitra in Bahrain was hit by an Iranian drone which injured 32 people according to officials. The victims included a 17-year-old girl who sustained serious head and eye injuries and a two-month-old infant.
A projectile that crashed into Al-Kharj province of Saudi Arabia resulted in the deaths of two people and the injuries of 12 others.
Iran’s health ministry reports that more than 1200 civilians have died and approximately 10000 people have sustained injuries since the commencement of the war although these numbers have not been independently verified.
The Israeli authorities report that Iranian missile attacks have resulted in the deaths of 10 people in Israel. The Israeli military confirmed that two of its soldiers died during operations in Lebanon.
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