Original Source
Iran Names Mojtaba Khamenei as New Supreme Leader Amid Escalating US-Israel Tensions, Economic Reverberations Feared
Iran Appoints New Supreme Leader and International Reactions
Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as its new supreme leader. Mojtaba Khamenei has strong ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and his family was killed in US and Israeli airstrikes. US President Donald Trump claimed US involvement in the Iranian leadership selection, while Israel warned it would target the successor. In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support, revealing a divided international response.
Escalating West Asian Conflict and Global Economic Impact
The deepening US and Israel conflict with Iran and the broader West Asian dispute have caused international oil prices to surge, raising concerns about a global economic crisis. The G7 and the International Energy Agency (IEA) are holding emergency meetings to discuss releasing up to 400 million barrels from strategic petroleum reserves. This aims to offset supply shortages due to reduced Iraq oilfield production and a potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, there are suggestions that UK King Charles III's visit to the US might be postponed due to political tensions. A Saudi political analyst emphasized that the power of the Iranian Supreme Leader resides in a 'system' centered around the IRGC.
*Source: YouTube: WION (2026-03-09)*
