Mojtaba Khamenei Named Iran’s Supreme Leader as War Expands, Oil Surges Above $100 and Regional Strikes Intensify
Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country’s new supreme leader, state media reported Monday, marking a pivotal moment in the rapidly escalating Middle East war that has already spread across multiple countries and pushed global oil prices above $100 per barrel.
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| Image Source: Iran in India |
The appointment places the younger Khamenei at the center of Iran’s military and political response to the war, as the country’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) answers directly to the supreme leader and plays a central role in directing Iran’s regional strategy.
The announcement came as U.S. President Donald Trump issued a warning about Tehran’s new leadership, and said the newly appointed cleric would not last long without Washington’s approval.
“He’s going to have to get approval from us,” Trump told ABC News. “If he doesn’t get approval from us he’s not going to last long.”
The war’s human toll continues to mount across multiple fronts. The U.S. military confirmed that another American service member has died from wounds sustained during Iran’s initial counter-attack, bringing the number of U.S. troops killed in the conflict to seven.
Iran also reported heavy casualties following the U.S. submarine strike on the Iranian warship IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka last week. The Iranian army said at least 104 personnel were killed and 32 wounded in the attack.
Across the region, Israel continued expanding its military campaign. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had launched “extensive strikes” against infrastructure associated with the Iranian regime in Tehran and other parts of Iran, while U.S. and Israeli airstrikes reportedly hit five oil sites around the Iranian capital overnight. Iranian officials said the facilities were damaged but that fires had been brought under control.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the attacks on energy infrastructure as a “dangerous new phase” of the war and accused Washington and Tel Aviv of committing war crimes.
Despite Israel’s claim that its strikes target military or security facilities, Iranian authorities say many civilians have been killed during the bombardment.
Meanwhile, fighting has intensified across Lebanon. The Lebanese health ministry said Israeli airstrikes over the past week have killed 394 people, including women and children, as the conflict with Hezbollah continues to widen.
Israel also carried out airstrikes in Beirut, targeting offices linked to al-Qard al-Hasan, a financial institution associated with Hezbollah. The Israeli military has accused the organisation of financing Hezbollah’s military operations and warned residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs to evacuate ahead of the attacks.
The regional conflict is also drawing in additional countries and military forces. Turkey said it had deployed six F-16 fighter jets and air defence systems to northern Cyprus, citing growing security risks in the eastern Mediterranean after a drone struck a British military base on the island last week.
Iran continued launching missile and drone attacks across the Gulf as well. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, came under Iranian attack Monday, with two people reportedly injured by shrapnel from intercepted projectiles.
Energy infrastructure across the region has also come under pressure. Bahrain’s state oil company declared force majeure on its shipments after an Iranian strike set part of its refinery complex on fire, temporarily disrupting operations though officials said domestic demand could still be met.
Saudi Arabia issued its own warning to Tehran after a drone attack targeted the Shaybah oil field, telling Iran it would be the “biggest loser” if attacks on Arab states continue.
The widening war is now sending shockwaves through global markets. Crude oil prices surged past $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022, fuelling fears of inflation and economic disruption across major economies.
UPDATE:
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday endorsed Iran’s new leadership, and reaffirmed what he described as Russia’s “unwavering support” for Tehran amid the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. In remarks reported by AFP, Putin said Moscow would continue to stand by Iran and expressed confidence that the younger Khamenei would carry forward his father’s legacy “with honour,” uniting the Iranian people “in the face of severe trials.” The message came as Israel warned it would continue pursuing Iran’s leadership structure following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in earlier strikes. Putin had already conveyed condolences during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, mourning the deaths of the former supreme leader, members of his family, senior Iranian officials and civilians killed during the conflict.
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