Iran has announced Mojtaba Khamenei as its new Supreme Leader, following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The decision was made by the Assembly of Experts, a body of 88 religious figures responsible for selecting the country’s highest authority. The announcement was broadcast by Iran’s state media on Monday night, Bangladesh time, and the Assembly called for public support for the new leader.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28 in a joint U.S.-Israel attack that also claimed the lives of his wife, daughter, and several senior military officials. According to Al Jazeera, Mojtaba Khamenei, aged 56, has never held a government position or contested an election but has long been influential in Iran’s internal politics and maintains close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated two days earlier that Mojtaba’s appointment would be unacceptable to Washington, insisting on U.S. involvement in Iran’s leadership selection. The Assembly of Experts, however, proceeded with the appointment, making Mojtaba Khamenei the third Supreme Leader since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for destroying four radar units connected to the United States’ THAAD anti-missile defense system within the past 24 hours, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The Iranian state news agency IRNA stated that the radars were struck using precision-guided missiles during an operation targeting U.S. missile defense infrastructure.

The THAAD system is a key component of the U.S. missile defense network, designed to detect and intercept ballistic missiles in midair. The IRGC described the strikes as part of an ongoing military campaign, though no further operational details were provided in the report.

The report did not specify the location of the attack or provide independent verification of the IRGC’s claim.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that military cooperation between Iran and Russia remains ongoing and is not a new development. In an interview with NBC, he described the relationship as a long-standing strategic partnership, emphasizing that it has existed for many years and continues to this day.

When asked whether Iran is receiving assistance from Russia, Araghchi said the two countries have maintained military ties for a long time. He added that while he does not have detailed military information about whether Russia is helping Iran identify U.S. targets, the relationship between the two nations is very strong.

Araghchi reiterated that the cooperation is not secret and will continue into the future, underscoring the enduring nature of Iran-Russia strategic relations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran’s attacks on US targets in the Middle East are a response to what he described as a war imposed on Iran. In an interview with NBC, he said Iran did not choose the conflict and is acting in self-defense, according to Al Jazeera.

Araghchi characterized the ongoing conflict as unprepared, irrational, and illegal, asserting that it was forced upon Iran by the United States and Israel. He explained that Iran’s retaliatory military actions have targeted US bases, installations, and assets in the region, even when those are located within neighboring countries’ territories.

The report also mentioned related developments in the region, including casualties in Saudi Arabia and statements from Oman condemning attacks on Iran as unethical and illegal.

Iran has declared that it will not accept any foreign interference in the process of selecting its new Supreme Leader. Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi stated that the decision is entirely an internal matter for Iran. Speaking to NBC, Aragchi confirmed that the Assembly of Experts will be responsible for choosing the next Supreme Leader and that the process will take place soon.

He emphasized that Iran’s political institutions, including the presidency, cabinet, and parliament, continue to function normally. Aragchi also responded to remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, reiterating that Iran will not tolerate any external involvement in its domestic affairs.

Aragchi stressed that the selection of a new leader is solely the concern of the Iranian people and not of any other country.

China has issued a warning against any attempt to change Iran’s government amid ongoing US-Israeli attacks. Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of an annual meeting in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that any plan for a “color revolution” or regime change in Iran would not gain public support. He called for an immediate end to military operations in the Middle East to prevent further escalation and regional spillover.

Wang emphasized respect for the sovereignty of all nations, stating that force cannot provide solutions and that armed conflict only fuels hatred and new crises. He urged all parties to return to dialogue to resolve differences and ensure collective security. China, he said, is ready to work with regional countries to restore order and peace in the Middle East.

According to a classified US National Intelligence Council report cited by The Washington Post, large-scale US military strikes are unlikely to topple Iran’s political or religious power structure, undermining claims by President Donald Trump that he could replace Iran’s leadership with his preferred successor.

Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani has declared that former US President Donald Trump will face consequences for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The statement came after Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran on February 28, which triggered widespread conflict across the Middle East. In a post on X, Larijani, a close aide to Khamenei, vowed relentless revenge for the blood of their leader and people.

Trump dismissed Larijani’s threats, telling CBS News that he did not know who Larijani was and did not care about his remarks. He said US attacks on Iran would continue and demanded Tehran’s unconditional surrender. Larijani, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed Iran had captured some US soldiers and reiterated that Trump would not be spared for his actions.

Larijani further accused the United States and Israel of seeking to dismantle the Islamic Republic and compared Washington’s strategy to its involvement in Venezuela, where he said the US had tried to impose an interim government under pressure.

Khalid Al-Jaber, Executive Director of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs in Doha, told Al Jazeera that Iranian officials have sent several conflicting messages to countries in the region. Referring to the attack on Bahrain’s water purification facility, he said it remains unclear which statements are true and expressed doubt that Iran would refrain from targeting Gulf infrastructure during wartime.

Al-Jaber noted that since the attack on Ayatollah Khamenei, there appears to be no clear institution or leadership in Iran with whom regional actors can communicate, making it difficult to understand Tehran’s current stance. He added that Iran’s recent actions have not benefited the country or the region, instead fueling frustration and damaging the economy.

He further stated that the current tension involves not only the United States and Israel but also parts of Europe, as all parties seek to protect their interests. While China and Russia appear to be signaling a desire to de-escalate, Al-Jaber said no one knows how to bring the situation under control.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has made significant progress toward selecting a successor to the country’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to member Ayatollah Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri. He told Mehr News Agency that a broad consensus has been reached among members, though some obstacles remain before a final decision can be announced. A senior cleric earlier said the assembly may meet within a day to finalize the choice.

Iranian media reported minor disagreements among members over whether the decision must be made in person or could be declared without a formal session. Another member, Ayatollah Mohsen Heydari Alekasir, said in a video published by Noor News that in-person voting has become difficult under current conditions. He added that one candidate has already been selected following advice from the late leader, who said the next Supreme Leader should be someone “hated by enemies.”

Alekasir hinted that the chosen candidate has been mentioned by the “Great Satan,” a term used for the United States. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump described Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as an “unacceptable” option.

Israeli airstrikes on fuel depots in Tehran have caused widespread fires after leaked fuel entered the city’s sewage system, creating what residents described as a “river of fire.” Videos circulating on social media showed flames running through drainage channels along major roads. Iran’s Oil Ministry confirmed that three fuel depots, including one in Karaj city in Alborz province west of Tehran, were hit in the attacks.

Following the explosions, the Iranian Red Crescent Society issued an emergency warning over possible toxic rainfall caused by airborne chemicals released from the blasts. The agency advised residents to stay indoors during rain, avoid sheltering under trees, and wash any exposed skin with cold water if contact occurs. It also instructed people to seal contaminated clothing in bags to prevent further exposure.

In response to fuel supply disruptions, Tehran’s governor reduced the daily fuel quota from 30 to 20 liters per personal card but assured citizens that the restriction would last only a few days until the situation stabilizes.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for missile attacks targeting military sites in Israel and Jordan. According to a statement published by Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the strikes hit military targets in Tel Aviv and Beersheba in Israel, as well as the Muwaffaq Al-Salti Air Base near Azraq in Jordan. The IRGC described the Jordanian base as a major hub for U.S. combat aircraft operations.

The IRGC warned that the scale and intensity of Iran’s military operations against its adversaries would increase in the coming hours and days. The statement did not specify the extent of damage or casualties resulting from the attacks. The report was carried by Al Jazeera and Iranian state-linked media.

The development follows heightened regional tensions, with Gulf countries reportedly expressing concern over Iran’s conflicting messages and the potential for escalation.

The Iranian Red Crescent reported that 9,669 civilian structures have been damaged across Iran following joint US-Israeli attacks. According to the organization’s data, the destruction includes 7,943 residential buildings and 1,617 commercial establishments. Among the affected facilities are 32 medical centers, 65 schools and educational institutions, 13 Red Crescent centers, 15 operational vehicles, and 13 ambulances. The attacks, which began on February 28, have also resulted in more than 1,200 deaths, including 11 healthcare workers, while 33 other medical staff have been injured.

The Red Crescent’s report highlights the extensive civilian toll and infrastructure damage caused by the strikes. The figures underscore the scale of humanitarian impact, particularly on essential services such as healthcare and education, as well as on emergency response capacity.

The situation remains critical as Iran continues to assess the full extent of the damage and casualties from the ongoing attacks.

A massive fire continued to burn for nearly ten hours at Tehran’s fuel storage tanks following an Israeli strike, according to BBC Persian. The blaze, which began overnight, has filled the skies over large parts of the Iranian capital with thick black smoke. Despite ongoing efforts, authorities have not yet brought the fire under control.

Iran’s Environmental Protection Organization has urged residents to stay indoors and avoid open spaces due to severe air pollution. The Iranian Red Crescent issued a warning about possible acid rain, explaining that explosions at the oil depot released large quantities of toxic hydrocarbons, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. The agency cautioned that any resulting rainfall could be highly dangerous and acidic.

The Red Crescent advised citizens to avoid rubbing skin exposed to such rain, to rinse affected areas with cold water, and to change any wet clothing immediately, sealing it in a closed bag to prevent further exposure.

Iranian media reported that a new Supreme Leader has been selected following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Ahmad Alamolhoda, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, confirmed that the selection process has been completed, though the name of the chosen leader has not yet been officially announced. The formal declaration will depend on Hosseini Bushehri, head of the Assembly’s secretariat, who is responsible for making the announcement. The semi-official Mehr News Agency carried the report.

The development comes after Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike last Saturday, according to the report. Prior to the selection, Israel had warned that whoever becomes Iran’s next Supreme Leader would be targeted. The situation has drawn attention across the region, with reports of concern among Gulf countries over Iran’s conflicting messages.

An official announcement from the Assembly of Experts is expected soon, which may clarify the leadership transition and its implications for Iran’s political direction.

A second missile attack targeted rescuers in Iran’s central city of Najafabad after an initial strike, according to a report published on March 8, 2026. The attack, allegedly carried out by US-Israeli forces, struck emergency workers and local residents who had rushed to assist victims of the first explosion. The incident reportedly killed more than 20 people and injured around 50 others, in what has been described as a violation of international humanitarian law.

A police official cited in the report said the second missile hit the same location just minutes after the first, as emergency responders were evacuating the wounded. The attack has drawn attention to the escalating violence in the region and the risks faced by rescue personnel during such operations.

The report also referenced broader regional tensions, including concerns among Gulf countries over Iran’s conflicting messages and recent Israeli strikes that have intensified instability in Tehran and beyond.