Following another day of escalating strikes across the Middle East, senior clerics have chosen Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his slain father as Iran’s supreme leader. A top Iranian official has warned that the conflict is now entering a “new phase.”Key Developments:
- New Supreme Leader: Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ali Khamenei, has been named Iran’s next supreme leader, solidifying the hardliners’ control. This choice was previously deemed “unacceptable” by US President Donald Trump.
- Regional Escalation: Attacks continue across the region. Gulf states reported fresh aerial strikes, with dozens wounded in Bahrain, and a seventh US service member died in Saudi Arabia.
- Continued Warfare: Israel claimed it launched new strikes on Beirut and central Iran. Hours after naming its new leader, Tehran announced new missile launches. President Trump stated that he and Israel will decide when the war ends.
- School Strike Investigation: New footage appears to confirm a US airstrike hit a naval base adjacent to an Iranian school. While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is “still investigating,” Trump has blamed Iran.
- Market Impact: Asian markets sank after oil surged past $100 per barrel, reaching a four-year peak, due to the war’s impact.
Iran Warns of “New Phase” in Conflict, Threatens Energy Infrastructure
A senior Iranian official has signaled that the war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States has entered a “new phase” and dismissed any suggestion of an immediate end to the conflict, hinting at possible strikes on regional energy infrastructure.
The official told CNN on Sunday that the conflict’s end was not imminent.
“The war has entered a new phase, and the attack on Iran’s oil and fuel depots will definitely be met with regional retaliation,” the official stated.
The official warned that Iran might target energy infrastructure in the coming days, raising concerns about potential disruptions to regional oil and gas facilities.
Furthermore, the official asserted that Tehran would dictate the war’s conclusion, adding, “Iran will not give up control of the Strait of Hormuz until it achieves its desired results,” referring to the vital channel for global oil transport.
