Iran names Mojtaba Khamenei as war intensifies; Trump warns Iran not to choke oil supply
Mar 9th 2026
Mojtaba Khamenei was named Iran’s supreme leader as the conflict widens, casualties mount and global markets and governments react to threats against oil shipments and possible strikes on civilian sites.
- Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei its new supreme leader, placing him in charge of the armed forces and decisions about the nuclear program.
- President Trump warned Iran it could not hold global oil supplies hostage and threatened harsher strikes if Tehran tried to block shipments.
- At least 1,230 people have been reported killed in Iran, 397 in Lebanon and 11 in Israel, and seven U.S. service members have died, according to officials.
- New footage has raised the likelihood that a U.S. strike hit an Iranian elementary school, where a blast reportedly killed at least 165 people, mostly children.
- Oil prices surged toward $120 per barrel then fell back toward $90 as U.S. stocks swung widely before closing higher.
- Senate Democrats are pushing public hearings and repeated war powers measures while countries including Australia, the U.K. and France take defensive steps and several U.S. diplomatic posts reduce staff.