Strikes shake Iran cities as crowds rally in support of Mojtaba Khamenei

March 9, 2026

Following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a strike nine days ago, his son Mojtaba Khamenei has been appointed as Iran's new supreme leader, prompting state-organized rallies across the country while some citizens protested the succession from their balconies. The Israeli military conducted extensive airstrikes on Monday targeting military infrastructure in Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz, including Revolutionary Guard facilities and missile production sites, while Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israel and Gulf states hosting U.S. bases. The escalating conflict has resulted in over 1,200 deaths in Iran according to humanitarian organizations, casualties in neighboring countries including Bahrain where 32 were injured, and one fatality in Israel from a cluster bomb attack.

Who is affected

Mojtaba Khamenei (newly appointed supreme leader)
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (killed in strike, former supreme leader)
Iranian civilians (1,205 killed according to HRANA; thousands killed in January protests)
U.S. President Donald Trump
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Quds Force
Israeli military and civilians
One Chinese worker (killed in Yehud, Israel) and two others injured
32 Bahraini citizens injured in drone attack, including a two-month-old baby and 17-year-old girl
Two UAE armed forces members (killed in helicopter crash)
313 people of various nationalities arrested in Qatar
Iranian Red Crescent first responders
Gulf Arab states (Bahrain, UAE, Qatar) hosting U.S. military bases
French President Emmanuel Macron and allies
Global oil consumers (affected by price surge)

What action is being taken

Israeli military is carrying out extensive strikes on military infrastructure in Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz, targeting Revolutionary Guard facilities, airfields, drone headquarters, and missile production sites
Iranian authorities are calling on people to gather in major squares to pledge allegiance to Mojtaba Khamenei, with rallies taking place across the country
Iran is launching barrages of missiles and drones at Gulf Arab states and Israel
U.S. military has struck 5,000 targets during the conflict
Iranian Red Crescent first responders are trying to rescue people and remove bodies from destroyed buildings in Tehran
Qatari authorities are arresting people for spreading misleading information during attacks
Iran is seeking to block the Strait of Hormuz

Why it matters

This conflict represents a major escalation in Middle East tensions with the succession of Iran's supreme leadership occurring during active warfare with the U.S. and Israel. The appointment of hardliner Mojtaba Khamenei, who has close ties to the Revolutionary Guards, signals continuity of Iran's confrontational policies and eliminates prospects for political change, disappointing both domestic reformers and international actors. The humanitarian toll is severe, with over 1,200 deaths in Iran and casualties spreading to neighboring Gulf states, while the disruption of oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global energy chokepoint—has driven oil prices above $100 per barrel for the first time in four years, threatening global economic stability. The conflict's regional spread, involving attacks on U.S. military bases in Gulf states and Iranian strikes reaching Israel, risks drawing more countries into a wider war.

What's next

France and its allies are preparing for a "defensive" mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
President Trump indicated he has plans for the new supreme leader but declined to specify what they are
Iran has stated it will be "forced to respond" to any attack originating from neighboring countries' soil

Read full article from source: BBC