Tehran: Iran’s military and political leadership have pledged allegiance to Mojtaba Khamenei, who has been appointed as the country’s new supreme leader following the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in recent US-Israeli strikes.
Meanwhile, hostilities between Iran, the United States and Israel continued to intensify, with explosions reported in Tehran and the holy city of Qom. The latest strikes came hours after Israeli attacks on oil facilities reportedly caused toxic smoke to spread across parts of the Iranian capital.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the attacks, claiming they were aimed at weakening Iran and gaining control over the country’s oil resources.
The expanding conflict has triggered turbulence in global energy markets, with oil prices surging by more than 25 percent, reaching their highest levels since mid-2022 amid fears of prolonged disruptions to shipping routes and energy supplies.
The United States also confirmed the death of an eighth American soldier in the conflict, a day after President Donald Trump attended a ceremony honouring troops killed during the hostilities.
Diplomatic Efforts
Amid the escalating tensions, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a phone conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, discussing the worsening situation in the Middle East.
According to a statement from the Qatari government, the two leaders reviewed developments related to what Qatar described as continuing Iranian aggression against countries in the region. Both sides stressed the importance of intensifying international efforts to reduce tensions and prioritise diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation.
The leaders emphasised that resolving disputes through peaceful means and respecting territorial integrity remains essential for maintaining regional stability, in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter.
