Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, during the early stages of the war. Iranian state media confirmed the decision, according to reports cited by international news agencies.
The appointment places Mojtaba Khamenei at the top of Iran’s political and military hierarchy. As supreme leader, he now holds authority over institutions such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other powerful security bodies that shape Iran’s domestic and foreign policies.
The leadership change comes as fighting across the Middle East intensifies. Iran has launched missile and drone attacks across the Gulf region in response to ongoing strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces. Governments in several neighboring countries have reported damage to civilian infrastructure.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said air defense systems intercepted incoming missiles and drones, while residents in major cities heard explosions as defenses responded. In Bahrain, officials reported damage to a water desalination facility and a university building after drone strikes. Kuwait also confirmed that drones hit fuel depots and damaged part of a government building near its international airport.
The conflict has also shaken global energy markets. Fighting near the Strait of Hormuz disrupted oil shipments from the Gulf, pushing crude prices above $100 per barrel for the first time in years.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump previously suggested that Washington should influence Iran’s next leadership. Israeli military officials warned they would target individuals involved in selecting the new leader.
The conflict has already caused thousands of casualties and displaced large numbers of civilians across the region.
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