Iran launches missiles at Israel under new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei amid U.S.-Israel war, escalating conflict with strikes on Tehran and Gulf bases.
Iran's First Missile Barrage Under New Supreme Leader Amid Escalating War:
In a defiant move that ratchets up the stakes in the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran war, Tehran launched its first barrage of missiles toward Israel under the command of newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The strikes, which hit multiple sites and injured at least six in Israel, come as the conflict enters its tenth day, with fresh Israeli airstrikes igniting oil depots in Tehran and causing widespread fires. This rapid succession of events underscores Iran’s resolve to retaliate aggressively, potentially broadening the war’s scope and drawing in more regional players, while global oil prices surge past $120 per barrel, threatening economic shockwaves worldwide.
Swift Succession and Immediate Retaliation: Mojtaba's First Hours as Supreme Leader:
The transition unfolded swiftly amid chaos. On March 8, 2026, Iran’s Assembly of Experts-a body of 88 senior clerics-announced Mojtaba Khamenei’s selection as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, succeeding his father who was killed in the war’s opening U.S.-Israeli strikes on March 1. State media broadcast the decision, with President Masoud Pezeshkian hailing it as ushering in a “new era of dignity and strength.”
Hours later, early on March 9, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported the launch of the first missile wave under Mojtaba’s leadership, targeting what Tehran calls “occupied territories” in Israel. Footage released by Iranian media showed ballistic missiles, including cluster munitions, streaking across the sky, with some projectiles inscribed with Mojtaba’s name. Israeli defenses intercepted many, but impacts near Tel Aviv caused explosions, power outages in Rishon LeZion, and at least six injuries.
Simultaneously, Iran targeted U.S. military installations in Gulf states, with missiles and drones striking bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. An eighth U.S. service member died from injuries sustained in a prior attack on a Saudi base, bringing American fatalities to at least eight. Israel retaliated with airstrikes on Tehran’s oil storage and water facilities, leading to massive fires and reports of “black rain” from soot.
The IRGC pledged “complete obedience” to Mojtaba, framing the strikes as a unified response. No ground invasions have occurred, but over 1,600 Iranian drone strikes have been reported since the war began.
Decades of Tension Culminate in War and Dynastic Succession:
This leadership change occurs against the backdrop of a war ignited by U.S.-Israeli preemptive strikes on March 1, 2026, targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and leadership in response to alleged threats. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled since 1989, was killed in the initial barrage at his Tehran compound, along with other top officials including the defense minister.
Mojtaba Khamenei, born in 1969, has long been a shadowy figure in Iranian politics, known for his influence over the IRGC and hardline stance. Rumors of his succession circulated for years, but his appointment cements a dynastic shift in the theocratic regime, potentially hardening Iran’s position against the West.
The war has roots in decades of tension: U.S. sanctions post-2018 nuclear deal withdrawal, Iran’s support for proxies like Hezbollah and Houthis, and recent escalations over nuclear enrichment. By day 10, casualties top 1,845, including disputed claims of 168 civilian deaths in a school strike. The conflict has disrupted global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, spiking oil prices and risking broader involvement from allies like Saudi Arabia or Yemen’s Houthis.