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By Amanda Castro, Toby Meyjes, Ellie Cook, and John Feng

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After a day of contradictory signals about the trajectory of the U.S.–Israeli war against Iran, President Donald Trump shifted to a far more confrontational posture Monday evening, warning that Washington is prepared to unleash even harsher strikes if Tehran attempts to choke off the world’s energy supply.

“We will hit them so hard that it will not be possible for them or anybody else helping them to ever recover that section of the world,” Trump told reporters.

Earlier Monday, Trump hinted the U.S.–Israeli campaign in Iran was nearing its conclusion, telling CBS’s Weijia Jiang that the war was “very complete, pretty much” and that operations were “far ahead of schedule.”

Read Newsweek's Iran Daily Briefing.

What To Know on Day 10

• Trump said the U.S. is “achieving major strides” toward its military objectives and suggested the campaign is “pretty well complete.”
• He again indicated he wants influence over Iran’s next leader, saying the successor should “do something peacefully for a change.”
• Trump made exaggerated claims about battlefield gains, asserting U.S. forces had destroyed nearly all Iranian military assets.
• Trump walked back his earlier comment that the war was “very complete,” saying instead the U.S. is ahead of schedule.
• He threatened harsher action if Iran disrupts global oil supplies, while downplaying the impact of rising prices on Americans.
• Trump argued the U.S. is acting to protect global energy markets, including China, despite Beijing not joining the effort.
• A seventh U.S. service member died Saturday after sustaining injuries in an attack last week, according to the Pentagon.
• Trump criticized Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, calling his selection a “mistake.”
• Bahrain's Health Ministry said 32 people were injured in a drone attack on the Gulf state.
• Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. was not responsible for an attack on a girls' elementary school that killed at least 165 people.
• Trump downplayed the oil price hike and insisted in a post on Truth Social that the price would "drop rapidly."
• Meanwhile, Iran launched attacks on Israel for the first time since Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was named his successor. Israel has also launched fresh strikes on Tehran.
• Oil prices jumped sharply as the war in Iran continued to disrupt global energy flows.
• Last week’s decline was the index’s worst in about five months, signaling deepening investor anxiety.

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Mar 09, 2026 at 08:10 PM EDT

EU warns prolonged Middle East war could trigger major stagflation shock

A drawn‑out war in the Middle East could deliver a “substantial stagflationary shock” to both the global and European economies, EU economy chief Valdis Dombrovskis warned Monday. Speaking to reporters, he said the economic fallout would hinge heavily on how long the conflict lasts and whether attacks on energy infrastructure continue.

Dombrovskis noted that if the fighting is contained and ends within weeks, the broader economic impact would likely remain limited. But a protracted conflict, he cautioned, combined with ongoing maritime disruption and strikes on Gulf oil facilities, could push energy prices sharply higher and fuel a damaging mix of slower growth and rising inflation.

Mar 09, 2026 at 07:56 PM EDT

IMO says seven seafarers killed in attacks near Strait of Hormuz

The International Maritime Organization says at least seven seafarers have been killed and several others injured in attacks on merchant vessels near the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S.–Israeli war in Iran began 10 days ago.

IMO Secretary‑General Arsenio Dominguez warned that civilian crews “must be protected from the consequences of broader geopolitical tensions,” calling the surge in maritime strikes deeply alarming.

Roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil normally moves through the narrow waterway, which has been effectively paralyzed since the conflict erupted.

Mar 09, 2026 at 07:42 PM EDT

Oman’s sultan congratulates Mojtaba Khamenei, first Arab leader to do so

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said has sent a formal message congratulating Mojtaba Khamenei on becoming Iran’s new supreme leader, offering “best wishes for his success and good fortune” as he assumes control of the Islamic Republic.

The message makes Sultan Haitham the first Arab head of state to publicly acknowledge and congratulate Khamenei, who was selected to succeed his father after the elder leader was killed in a U.S.–Israeli airstrike last week.

Mar 09, 2026 at 07:29 PM EDT

How the Iran war is rewriting corporate risk: Expert

Jessica Lewis McFate, a former U.S. Army intelligence officer and now VP and director of Intelligence Operations at Babel Street, told Newsweek that the war in Iran has fundamentally reshaped how global companies must think about risk, warning that the battlefield is no longer confined to traditional conflict zones. Instead, she said, the tactics, technologies and adversaries shaping today’s war are already spilling into commercial spaces, supply chains and digital infrastructure worldwide.

McFate said markets have long anticipated a major conflict involving Iran, but the current war is different because it threatens not only oil flows but datacenters, energy corridors and civilian infrastructure across regions once considered stable. Cheap drones, mirrored tactics from Ukraine, and the vulnerability of Gulf technology hubs have created what she described as a new era of “instantaneous geopolitical risk.”

She warned that companies that fail to monitor geopolitical threats with the rigor of intelligence agencies risk being blindsided by adversaries who “mean them harm” and operate far outside the norms of commercial competition. In her view, businesses must adopt a posture closer to military intelligence: study adversaries, anticipate their moves, and understand that threats now span continents and domains.

McFate said AI‑driven systems are becoming essential for detecting early signs of instability, but only when models are trained to account for adversarial behavior—not just routine operational risks. She pointed to an unfolding threat at the intersection of energy, AI, and datacenter expansion, where adversaries are courting companies with nuclear‑energy solutions that could create hidden dependencies.

She also argued that companies must think offensively, not just defensively, in a world where regional wars can disrupt global markets in hours. Real‑time monitoring is no longer the challenge, she said; predicting the next disruption requires mapping adversaries’ logic, capabilities and long‑term strategies.

McFate said the biggest misconception among corporate leaders is treating cyber, financial, geopolitical and compliance risks as separate problems. In reality, she said, they are pieces of a single adversarial puzzle—and companies that fail to integrate them will “pay a lot for the sensation of risk mitigation” without actually protecting themselves.

Looking ahead, she said businesses must prepare for a world where war is continuous, often invisible, and deeply intertwined with criminal networks and state‑backed campaigns. From IP theft to drone strikes, she said, “If it’s the same adversary, all these attacks against you are connected.”

Mar 09, 2026 at 07:16 PM EDT

Iran Red Crescent says nearly 14,000 civilian structures damaged in strikes

The Iranian Red Crescent said Monday that thousands of civilian buildings across the country have been damaged since the United States and Israel began their coordinated strikes. According to the organization’s president, Pirhossein Kolivand, a total of 13,785 civilian units have been affected so far

The majority — 11,293 structures — were residential homes, while another 2,383 were commercial properties. Kolivand added that 65 schools and other educational facilities have also sustained damage.

The Red Crescent did not release details about where the destruction occurred or the severity at each site, but the figures underscore the widening civilian impact as the conflict enters its second week.

Mar 09, 2026 at 07:03 PM EDT

Iran’s power centers rally behind Mojtaba Khamenei as war deepens

Iran’s military, political and religious establishment has closed ranks around Mojtaba Khamenei, signaling readiness for a prolonged conflict as the country comes under sustained U.S. and Israeli fire. The Assembly of Experts formally approved the 56‑year‑old as supreme leader after the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28, charging him with steering the “holy establishment” through one of the most volatile moments since the 1979 revolution.

Though rarely seen in public, Mojtaba Khamenei is widely viewed as a behind‑the‑scenes powerbroker with deep ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The IRGC’s branches — aerospace, ground, naval and intelligence — were among the first to pledge loyalty, vowing to “fully obey and sacrifice” for the new leader. Iran’s army, police command, Guardian Council and senior clerical institutions issued similar endorsements, many referring to him as “ayatollah,” reflecting an elevation in religious rank.

State media broadcast announcements of his selection from major mosques, while mass text messages urged Iranians to gather in Tehran’s Enghelab Square to reaffirm allegiance. Hours later, U.S. and Israeli warplanes bombed Tehran and Isfahan, following earlier strikes on oil facilities that left the capital shrouded in smoke.

Mojtaba Khamenei inherits a country facing intensifying military pressure, a collapsing energy corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, and an economy battered by inflation near 70 percent and sweeping sanctions. U.S. officials have signaled they intend to keep targeting Iranian leadership, while Iranian commanders say they can sustain heavy attacks for months.

Regional allies in the so‑called axis of resistance — including Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iraqi armed groups — have publicly backed the new leader. But with oil exports threatened, the currency in free fall and the risk of further strikes high, Iran’s new supreme leader begins his tenure under extraordinary strain.

Mar 09, 2026 at 06:49 PM EDT

Ukraine sends drone team to Jordan after U.S. request, Zelensky says

Ukraine has dispatched interceptor drones and a team of drone specialists to help protect U.S. military bases in Jordan, President Volodymyr Zelensky told The New York Times, marking Kyiv’s first direct involvement in the widening war in Iran. Zelensky said the United States requested assistance on Thursday, and the Ukrainian team departed the following day.

“We reacted immediately,” he said, adding that Ukraine is eager to apply its battlefield-honed expertise against the same Iranian‑designed attack drones that Russia has used extensively in Ukraine.

The conflict has created both risks and opportunities for Kyiv. While the war in Iran threatens to divert global attention and strain supplies of defensive weapons Ukraine needs, it also allows Kyiv to demonstrate its value to Washington and its Middle Eastern partners. Zelensky said he hopes cooperation in the region will strengthen Ukraine’s position in U.S.-brokered peace talks and encourage Gulf states — some of which maintain close ties with Moscow — to pressure Russia toward a ceasefire.

Ukraine has also offered to trade its low‑cost interceptor drones for more advanced air‑defense systems needed at home, as Middle Eastern countries burn through expensive Patriot missiles at a staggering rate. According to Zelensky and European officials, more than 800 Patriot interceptors were fired in the first days of the Iran war — more than Ukraine has received in four years.

Mar 09, 2026 at 06:35 PM EDT

Senior Iranian adviser warns Tehran ready for ‘long war,’ signals more gulf strikes

A senior Iranian official has warned that Tehran is prepared for a prolonged conflict with the United States, signaling that attacks on Gulf countries will continue as part of a strategy to pressure regional governments into urging President Donald Trump to pull back.

In an interview with CNN in Tehran, Kamal Kharazi, foreign policy adviser to the Supreme Leader’s office, said there is “no room for diplomacy anymore”, arguing the war will end only when economic fallout forces other nations to intervene. He said rising inflation, energy shortages, and disruptions to global trade would eventually compel Gulf states and others to demand an end to U.S. and Israeli operations.

Kharazi’s comments come on day 10 of the conflict, during which Iran has launched strikes across the Middle East, hitting not only U.S. military sites but also residential areas, airports, and civilian infrastructure. The attacks have severely destabilized global energy flows, with traffic through the Strait of Hormuz collapsing and oil prices surging past $100 a barrel.

Mar 09, 2026 at 06:26 PM EDT

Trump dismisses exiled crown prince, says Iran’s next leader should come from within

Trump signaled again that he does not support installing Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, as a future leader of Iran. Speaking at his Doral news conference, Trump said he preferred “people that are inside,” noting that Pahlavi has not lived in Iran since the 1970s.

Mar 09, 2026 at 06:23 PM EDT

Qatar’s Emir, German chancellor discuss Iranian attacks and urgent need for de‑escalation

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the region, according to a statement from the Emir’s office. The two leaders reviewed the latest developments amid what Doha described as “continued blatant Iranian aggression” against Qatar and several neighboring states.

Both sides stressed that the current moment requires intensified international efforts to halt the escalation and prioritize diplomatic solutions. The statement said their shared position aligns with the UN Charter, emphasizing the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for territorial integrity.

The call comes as Gulf nations face ongoing missile and drone attacks linked to the widening U.S.–Israel–Iran conflict, prompting renewed diplomatic outreach from regional and European leaders seeking to contain the crisis.

Mar 09, 2026 at 06:18 PM EDT

Trump claims Iran war near complete while backing Hegseth’s ‘just beginning’ line

Trump offered another mixed assessment of the U.S. campaign in Iran, insisting he has already achieved “almost all” of his objectives while simultaneously endorsing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s view that the battle is only at its outset. “It’s the beginning of building a new country,” Trump said.

He said Iran now has “no navy, no Air Force, no anti‑aircraft equipment — it’s all been blown up,” framing the destruction as the foundation for a long‑term transformation of the country.

Mar 09, 2026 at 06:13 PM EDT

Putin ‘wants to be helpful,’ Trump says

Trump said he urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to help end the Ukraine‑Russia war during their phone call Monday, even as he claimed Putin expressed interest in playing a constructive role in the Middle East.

“He wants to be helpful,” Trump said, adding that he told the Russian leader, “You could be more helpful by getting the Ukraine‑Russia war over with.”

Mar 09, 2026 at 06:10 PM EDT

Trump says US acting for ‘other parts of the world,’ citing China

Trump defended the U.S. military campaign in Iran by arguing it serves global interests, saying the operation is being carried out “for other parts of the world, like China.”

China purchases the vast majority of Iran’s oil but has not joined the U.S.‑led effort, a contrast Trump pointed to without explaining why Beijing has remained on the sidelines. The president has frequently criticized allies — particularly in Europe — for relying on American security guarantees while investing comparatively little in their own militaries.

Mar 09, 2026 at 06:10 PM EDT

Top democrats demand probe into deadly strike on Iranian girls’ school

Top Democratic senators are calling for a full investigation into the U.S.–Israeli strike that hit a girls’ elementary school in Minab, killing at least 170 people, most of them children. In a joint statement Sunday night, six senior lawmakers said they were “horrified” by the attack and insisted the Pentagon must “provide clear answers” about how the bombing occurred.

Their demand comes as newly analyzed footage suggests the school was likely struck by a Tomahawk cruise missile — a U.S. weapon not used by Israel or Iran — intensifying scrutiny of Washington’s role in the opening wave of strikes on February 28. The Minab attack has become a symbol of the soaring civilian toll in Iran, where authorities say more than 1,250 people have been killed in U.S. and Israeli operations.

The senators also pointed to comments from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has repeatedly touted loosened rules of engagement that allow U.S. forces to strike with fewer restrictions. They said any policy decisions that may have contributed to the tragedy must be examined “thoroughly and impartially.”

Human rights groups and U.N. experts have likewise condemned the school bombing, calling it a grave violation of international law. Advocates warn that the administration’s initial denials echo past U.S. missteps — including the 2021 Kabul drone strike — and say only a transparent, independent inquiry can restore credibility.

President Donald Trump, however, has continued to blame Iran for the attack, despite mounting evidence to the contrary. The Pentagon says its investigation is ongoing.

Mar 09, 2026 at 06:08 PM EDT

Trump walks back ‘very complete’ war comment, cites faster-than-expected timeline

Trump softened his earlier suggestion that the U.S. campaign in Iran was nearly finished, clarifying at his Florida news conference that the operation is simply ahead of schedule rather than close to concluding. His initial remark to CBS News — that the war was “very complete, pretty much” — briefly eased market fears, sending oil prices down and stocks higher.

At the podium, Trump said the U.S. is “ahead of our initial timeline by a lot,” adding that officials “probably would not have thought after a month we’d be here.”

Mar 09, 2026 at 06:07 PM EDT

Trump says US ordered 25 new B-2 stealth bombers

Trump said that the United States has ordered 25 additional B‑2 stealth bombers, describing them as “the newer, better version” during remarks at his Doral golf club.

The B‑2, one of the most advanced aircraft in the U.S. arsenal, has not been produced in decades, and Trump did not provide details about the supposed order or its timeline.

Mar 09, 2026 at 06:04 PM EDT

Trump inaccurately speaks on Iran’s nuclear intentions

Trump inaccurately said that Iranian officials told his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, they “want to keep building nuclear weapons,” a statement at odds with Iran’s long‑standing public position.

Tehran has repeatedly asserted that it has the right to enrich uranium under international agreements but denies seeking nuclear arms — even as past evidence shows Iranian scientists explored weapons‑related designs over the last quarter‑century.

Mar 09, 2026 at 06:02 PM EDT

Trump signals role in Iran’s future leadership, claims massive military gains

Trump suggested that he still intends to play a role in shaping Iran’s postwar leadership, saying at his Florida news conference that the United States “wants to be involved” and that Iran’s next leader should “be able to do something peacefully for a change.”

Trump paired those comments with sweeping — and unverified — assertions about the state of the conflict, claiming the U.S. has “wiped every single force in Iran out very completely.” He also said more than 90 percent of Iran’s missile launchers and over 80 percent of its drone launchers had been destroyed.

Mar 09, 2026 at 05:58 PM EDT

Trump holds Florida news conference as Iran war enters second week

President Donald Trump is holding a news conference at his Florida golf club as the U.S.–Iran war moves into its second week, a moment marked by surging oil prices and Iran’s rapid appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader. Earlier Monday, Trump told CBS News the conflict was “very complete,” suggesting U.S. operations were progressing faster than he initially expected.

The Kremlin said Trump also spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who offered ideas aimed at resolving the conflict. The call came as global markets reacted sharply to the war’s widening impact, with crude prices spiking in early trading.

Mar 09, 2026 at 05:58 PM EDT

Trump says US nearing its military goals in Iran

Trump said that the United States is close to completing its military objectives in Iran, telling reporters at his Doral golf club that the campaign is “achieving major strides” and that “some people could say they’re pretty well complete.”

Mar 09, 2026 at 05:38 PM EDT

Israel FM says Mojtaba Khamenei continuing father’s ‘extremist’ policies

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said it is “clear” that Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is carrying forward what he called the “extremist and mad policies” of his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Speaking to CNN’s Bianna Golodryga, Sa’ar described the younger Khamenei as a hardliner who is “anti‑American” and “anti‑Western,” claiming early signs of internal strain within the new leadership.

Pressed on whether Mojtaba Khamenei is now an Israeli target, Sa’ar replied only: “You’ll have to wait and see.”

He argued that Tehran remains firmly controlled by hardliners and said past negotiations with the U.S. and Israel show that “with these people you cannot do anything serious if you want to solve conflict.”

Mar 09, 2026 at 05:24 PM EDT

Trump to hold evening press conference as Iran war enters second week

President Donald Trump said he will hold a press conference Monday evening, announcing on Truth Social that he plans to speak from a ballroom at his Doral golf club in Florida at approximately 5:30 p.m. as the war in Iran moves into its second week.

Trump wrote that he has spent the day in Florida taking “many important meetings and phone calls,” though he did not specify the topics. The president was spotted driving a golf cart on Sunday while spending the weekend at his South Florida properties.

Mar 09, 2026 at 05:11 PM EDT

Hsbc says GCC economies remain strong despite regional turmoil

Banking giant HSBC says it remains confident in the long‑term economic outlook of the Gulf Cooperation Council states, even as the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran disrupts energy markets and triggers sharp swings in oil and gas prices.

“HSBC remains steadfast in our confidence in the GCC and in the long‑term strength, resilience and promise of the region,” CEO Georges Elhedery said in a statement, adding that the bank’s conviction in the Gulf’s fundamentals “is unchanged.” He said the years ahead would bring “renewed stability, growth, and prosperity.”

The reassurance comes as Iranian strikes across Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and the UAE have rattled global markets and hampered exports from one of the world’s most critical energy‑producing regions. Despite the volatility, HSBC’s message signals that major international investors still see the Gulf’s economic trajectory as durable.

Mar 09, 2026 at 05:01 PM EDT

Pakistan unveils sweeping austerity plan as oil prices surge

Pakistan has announced some of its toughest austerity measures in years as soaring oil prices driven by the Middle East war strain the country’s already fragile economy. In a national address Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said schools would shut for two weeks and universities would immediately shift to online learning to curb fuel consumption.

Sharif ordered half of all public and private sector employees to work from home, with an additional weekly day off to reduce commuting. The government will also slash fuel allocations for official vehicles by 50 percent, freeze purchases of furniture and air conditioners, and cut certain public‑sector salaries to redirect funds toward relief efforts.

The measures come as crude prices briefly broke above $100 a barrel for the first time in nearly four years before easing slightly. Sharif warned that Pakistan’s economy, agriculture and transport networks are deeply dependent on oil and gas from the Gulf, making the country acutely vulnerable to the conflict’s fallout.

He also imposed a total ban on overseas travel for government officials — including the prime minister — except for trips deemed essential to national security.

Mar 09, 2026 at 04:56 PM EDT

Putin urges russian firms to ‘take advantage’ of energy turmoil as Hormuz risks grow

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Russian energy companies should “take advantage” of the global market disruption triggered by the war in Iran, arguing that the conflict has created an international energy crisis that is reshaping demand for oil and gas.

Speaking at a Kremlin meeting, Putin warned that oil production dependent on shipments through the Strait of Hormuz could soon grind to a halt if the conflict continues to escalate. The strait, a chokepoint for a significant share of the world’s crude exports, has been effectively shut down since the fighting began.

Putin said Russia remains open to supplying Europe if buyers are willing to offer “long‑term work without politics,” while stressing that Moscow will continue prioritizing “reliable partners.” Russia is the world’s second‑largest oil exporter and holds the largest natural gas reserves, positioning it to benefit from the volatility now roiling global markets.

Mar 09, 2026 at 04:42 PM EDT

Israeli shelling kills priest in southern Lebanon as villagers vow to stay

An Israeli strike has killed a priest in a Christian village in southern Lebanon, deepening fears for communities caught in the expanding conflict. Father Pierre al‑Raai died Monday after he and several others were wounded in two separate Israeli attacks on the outskirts of Qlayaa, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported.

Qlayaa, in the Marjayoun district, had largely avoided the heavy bombardment seen elsewhere in the south, where at least 486 people have been killed since March 2, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Before his death, al‑Raai had urged residents to remain despite Israel’s sweeping evacuation call for everyone living south of the Litani River. The village was not explicitly named in the order but lies just below the river, close to the Israeli border.

“We have never fled… and we will not flee now,” he told parishioners in a voice message obtained by CNN, adding that the church would remain open to anyone seeking shelter.

The danger to Christian communities is growing. On Tuesday, the UN peacekeeping mission is set to evacuate civilians from Alma al‑Shaab, about 27 miles from Qlayaa, after a man was killed there in an Israeli raid over the weekend. Its mayor, Chadi Sayah, had previously told worshippers that residents intended to stay on their land and “live in peace,” even as the front line moves closer.

Mar 09, 2026 at 04:41 PM EDT

Zelensky says Ukraine ready to aid U.S. Troops, Middle East allies with drone defense

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv is prepared to provide defensive systems, specialists, and civilian assistance to countries in the Middle East — including support for American soldiers deployed in the region — as the U.S.–Israel war with Iran intensifies. He confirmed that Washington has asked Ukraine to help counter Iranian Shahed‑type drones, which have been striking U.S. assets and infrastructure across the Gulf.

Zelensky has proposed a technology exchange, offering Ukraine’s low‑cost interceptor drones — developed after years of defending against Russian and Iranian attacks — in return for advanced U.S. air‑defense systems such as Patriot interceptors, which Kyiv urgently needs for its own war effort. “We have a shortage of what they have, and they have a shortage of what we produce,” he said.

Ukraine has already deployed interceptor drones and a team of specialists to help protect U.S. bases in Jordan, and Zelenskyy has spoken with leaders across the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, about further cooperation. He stressed that Ukraine will not weaken its own defenses but now has the industrial capacity to share equipment.

Analysts say Zelensky’s move both strengthens ties with Middle Eastern states and highlights U.S. reluctance to supply Ukraine with additional Patriot missiles — even as far more are being used in the Gulf. European nations and Australia have also committed defensive support to the region, while experts warn Russia may deepen its involvement by supplying Iran with drones built on Russian soil.

Mar 09, 2026 at 04:36 PM EDT

When will the war in Iran end? Trump gives promising update

President Donald Trump said in a phone interview that the war with Iran could be nearing an end, telling CBS News that U.S. and Israeli forces have effectively dismantled Iran’s military capabilities and warning Tehran against any further action.

“I think the war is very complete, pretty much,” Trump told the network's Weijia Jiang, who reported the president's remarks on X, adding that Iran has “no navy, no communications” and “no Air Force,” and that the United States is “very far” ahead of his initial estimate that the conflict could last four to five weeks.

Asked about Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Trump said he had “no message for him, none whatsoever,” but added that he has someone in mind to replace Khamenei, without elaborating.

Trump also told Jiang ships are currently moving through the Strait of Hormuz but that he is “thinking about taking it over,” and warned Iran that it has exhausted its military options, saying, “They better not try anything cute or it’s going to be the end of that country.”

Read more here.

Mar 09, 2026 at 04:27 PM EDT

Emirati billionaire breaks silence to criticize U.S.–Israeli war and Trump

An Emirati billionaire has emerged as a rare public critic of the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran and President Donald Trump, voicing frustrations that are typically confined to private conversations in the United Arab Emirates. Khalaf al‑Habtoor, founder of one of the country’s largest conglomerates, posted — and later deleted — a message rejecting Sen. Lindsey Graham’s call for Gulf states to join the conflict. He accused Washington of dragging the region into a dangerous escalation without consulting its closest partners, writing, “We know who took the whole region into this dangerous escalation without consulting their ‘allies.’”

The UAE, an authoritarian state that sharply restricts dissent, is a close U.S. ally, making al‑Habtoor’s comments especially notable. His criticism has grown more pointed in recent days. In an interview with CNN, he said Trump “cannot take everything by force,” following an open letter he published expressing anger over the war — while also condemning Iran’s actions.

Mar 09, 2026 at 04:13 PM EDT

WATCH: Rubio says Iran is ‘trying to hold world hostage’ as US targets missile threat

Mar 09, 2026 at 03:58 PM EDT

Israeli authorities say a man was killed by an Iranian cluster bomb

Cluster bombs travel through the air then burst open before landing, breaking up into dozens or hundreds of smaller bomblets to maximize the likelihood of hitting targets.

Col. Jonathan Raz of Israel’s Home Front Command said Monday that the area of Yehud in the country’s center was hit by a cluster bomb, killing at least one person and leaving others in critical condition.

Israel’s military said Iran has been using cluster bombs on a “nearly daily basis,” noting that Iran fired similar projectiles during the previous 12-day war last June.

By The Associated Press

Mar 09, 2026 at 03:43 PM EDT

China calls for ceasefire in gulf as Wang Yi speaks with Bahrain, Kuwait

China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, held separate phone calls with his counterparts in Bahrain and Kuwait, expressing deep concern about the rapidly worsening situation in the Middle East, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

In his conversation with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al‑Zayani, Wang said China is committed to playing a “constructive role” in efforts to stabilize the region as the conflict continues to spill across borders.

During a separate call with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Jarrah Jaber Al‑Ahmad Al‑Sabah, Wang urged an immediate ceasefire in the Gulf, warning that continued escalation threatens the sovereignty and security of all states in the area. He stressed that the territorial integrity of Gulf countries must be fully respected, a message Beijing has repeated as the war disrupts shipping routes and energy markets.

Mar 09, 2026 at 03:38 PM EDT

Lebanon’s president says 600,000 displaced, blames Hezbollah for escalation

At least 600,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since fighting with Israel sharply escalated last week, President Joseph Aoun said Monday, issuing one of the most direct rebukes of Hezbollah ever delivered by a Lebanese head of state.

In a statement summarizing his call with senior European officials, Aoun said Lebanon was caught between an Israeli assault that “shows no respect for the laws of war” and “an armed group operating outside the law…with no regard for the interests of Lebanon and the lives of its people.” He blamed Hezbollah’s rocket barrage last week for igniting the latest round of violence.

Mar 09, 2026 at 03:24 PM EDT

Israeli strikes on Iran’s oil sites spark concern inside Trump administration

Israel’s weekend attacks on Iranian oil facilities have raised alarms inside the Trump administration and among the president’s allies, according to people familiar with internal discussions. While U.S. officials knew Israel intended to hit certain fuel depots, some were taken aback by the scale of the destruction, which sent thick black smoke billowing over the sites and underscored the war’s growing toll on Iran’s energy sector — and on global oil prices. Axios first reported the administration’s unease.

President Donald Trump has publicly downplayed rising fuel costs, insisting prices will fall once the war ends. But several advisers are acutely aware of the political risks tied to higher gasoline prices, especially as crude continues to surge.

Even Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of Washington’s strongest advocates for military action against Iran, gently urged Israel to be more selective in its targeting. In a post on X, he praised Israel’s military capabilities but warned that Iran’s oil economy will be essential “when this regime collapses” and the Iranian people take control of their future. “Please be cautious about what targets you select,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, reports that Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were preparing to visit Israel were walked back Monday, with a White House official saying the trip is not happening. It remains unclear whether it was ever formally planned.

Mar 09, 2026 at 03:10 PM EDT

US facing ‘jobs recession’

Economists are sounding alarms about the health of the U.S. labor market after new data showed the economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, defying expectations of a gain and pushing the unemployment rate up to 4.4%. Analysts say the downturn is troubling on its own — and likely to deepen as the war with Iran drives up energy costs and uncertainty.

“This economy is struggling,” said Mark Zandi of Moody’s Analytics, noting that job losses and rising unemployment arrived “before the fallout from the U.S. conflict with Iran hits.” University of Michigan economist Justin Wolfers described the situation as a “jobs recession,” warning that the conflict’s economic shockwaves could push the country closer to a broader downturn.

The weak report reversed optimism that had been building after a stronger‑than‑expected January reading. Losses in federal government, manufacturing, and health care — sectors that had been pillars of job growth — contributed to the decline. Revisions also showed job creation throughout 2025 was weaker than initially reported.

The conflict’s economic effects are already visible: rising gas prices, higher inflation expectations, and a more complicated landscape for policymakers trying to balance employment and price stability. Zandi said low‑ and middle‑income households, who spend more of their budgets on fuel, will feel the strain first.

Former National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett called the February numbers “something of a surprise,” attributing the weakness to strikes, immigration enforcement, new data methods, and weather — while insisting other indicators show underlying strength.

Still, analysts say the risks are mounting. Wolfers warned the economy may already be “on the precipice of a recession,” and Zandi cautioned that even with fiscal support from Trump’s recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill, growth in the coming months will remain “uncomfortably fragile.”

Mar 09, 2026 at 02:58 PM EDT

IDF says Iran fired new missiles at Israel, public told to take shelter

The Israeli military says it detected missile launches from Iran moments before issuing fresh alerts across parts of the country. In a statement posted to its official X account, the IDF said air‑defense systems were already working to intercept the incoming fire.

Israel’s Home Front Command pushed preliminary instructions directly to mobile phones, urging residents in affected areas to move immediately into protected spaces. Officials stressed that people must remain sheltered until an explicit all‑clear is issued, warning that the directives “save lives.”

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Mar 09, 2026 at 02:56 PM EDT

Iran security chief says Strait of Hormuz cannot be secured while war continues

Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani said Monday that stability in the Strait of Hormuz is impossible as long as the war with the United States and Israel continues, pushing back on Western efforts to prepare a multinational mission to reopen the vital waterway.

Responding to an Al Jazeera Arabic post about French President Emmanuel Macron’s plan for a “defensive” escort operation, Larijani said, “It is unlikely that any security can be achieved in the Strait of Hormuz amid the fires ignited by the United States and Israel in the region.”

Mar 09, 2026 at 02:53 PM EDT

State Department says 36,000 Americans evacuated from Middle East

The State Department says more than 36,000 American citizens have now returned safely to the United States from the Middle East since February 28, as evacuation operations continue amid the widening regional war. Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson said the department has completed over two dozen charter flights, with additional ground transport still available even as commercial routes reopen.

Demand for government-assisted departures has dropped sharply, officials said, noting that most Americans who requested help ultimately declined it, choosing either to remain in place or book commercial flights. The department’s 24/7 task force has provided direct assistance to more than 23,000 Americans, including security guidance and travel support.

U.S. citizens in Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Israel are urged to complete the Crisis Intake Form if they need help leaving. The State Department says it will continue assisting any American who wishes to depart. A 24/7 assistance line remains available at +1‑202‑501‑4444.

Mar 09, 2026 at 02:41 PM EDT

Rubio calls Iran ‘world’s worst hostage‑taker,’ praises U.S. offensive at detainee event

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned Iran as “the worst offenders in the world of hostage‑taking” during remarks Monday marking Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, using the event to highlight both the plight of detained Americans and the progress of the U.S. military campaign against Tehran.

Rubio paid tribute to Robert Levinson, the former FBI agent who vanished in Iran 19 years ago and is believed to have died in custody, calling his case a reminder of the regime’s long record of detaining foreigners. He did not mention other Americans currently held in Iran — including Reza Valizadeh and Kamran Hekmati, both believed to be in Evin Prison — whose advocates fear for their safety as the war intensifies.

“We will not stop until every single unjustly detained American is brought home,” Rubio said.

The secretary also praised the ongoing U.S. military operation, describing it as “an extraordinary offensive” that is rapidly degrading Iran’s capabilities. “Every single day, this regime in Iran has less missiles, has less launchers. Their factories work less, and their navy is being eviscerated,” he said, arguing the mission will ultimately make the world safer.

Rubio closed by offering condolences to the families of the seven U.S. service members killed so far in the conflict.

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Mar 09, 2026 at 02:28 PM EDT

France deploys carrier strike group, eight warships for ‘defensive’ mission in middle east

Short article: France is sending a major naval force — including its aircraft carrier strike group — to the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and potentially the Strait of Hormuz as part of what President Emmanuel Macron described as a “purely defensive” effort to support allies amid escalating regional conflict.

Speaking in Cyprus, which was struck by drones last week, Macron said, “When Cyprus is attacked then Europe is attacked,” framing the deployments as a response to widening security threats. In total, France will dispatch eight warships, a carrier group, and two helicopter carriers, with the option to extend operations into the Strait of Hormuz to help safeguard commercial shipping.

Macron said France is working with European and non‑European partners to build an escort mission aimed at reopening the strait “as soon as possible after the most intense phase of the conflict has ended.” The goal, he said, is to ensure container ships and tankers can resume safe passage through one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.

Mar 09, 2026 at 02:14 PM EDT

CENTCOM denies claims U.S. missile hit Bahrain neighborhood, blames iranian drone

U.S. Central Command forcefully rejected reports from Russian and Iranian media on Monday that a misfired American Patriot interceptor struck a residential area in Bahrain. In a statement posted on social media, CENTCOM labeled the claim a “LIE,” saying no U.S. missile was involved.

According to CENTCOM, the damage was caused by an Iranian drone that hit a neighborhood in Bahrain, injuring 32 civilians, including children who required medical treatment. Bahrain’s government has confirmed the casualties.

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Mar 09, 2026 at 01:49 PM EDT

Lawmakers clash on strategy, costs, and endgame of Iran war

On CNN News Central, anchors Kate Bolduan, Sara Sidner, and John Berman pressed three members of Congress on the widening U.S.–Israeli war with Iran, eliciting sharply different views on strategy, costs, and the path ahead.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R‑NY) argued the administration must prioritize stabilizing gas prices, saying market volatility is an unavoidable short‑term consequence of dismantling Iran’s missile and naval capabilities. He urged a more “aggressive” approach to managing energy impacts and pointed to shifting dynamics in Venezuela as a potential relief valve for global oil supply.

Rep. Eugene Vindman (D‑VA) condemned comments from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggesting U.S. troops could eventually deploy inside Iran. Calling the idea “outrageous,” Vindman said he had just attended a dignified transfer ceremony for six Americans killed in the conflict and questioned the administration’s shifting objectives. He criticized what he described as a lack of a coherent strategy.

Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D‑MA) called the elevation of Mojtaba Khamenei an “abysmal” outcome and argued the U.S. must pair pressure with incentives. He said Congress should outline a clear “carrot” for moderates within Iran’s leadership—such as sanctions relief if Tehran halts support for proxy groups and mothballs its nuclear program—warning that relying solely on force risks entrenching hardliners.

Mar 09, 2026 at 01:36 PM EDT

UK maritime agency logs 13 incidents in Strait of Hormuz as war halts traffic

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says it has received 13 incident reports involving vessels operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz between February 28, when the conflict began, and March 8. The reports include 10 attacks and three cases of suspicious activity, underscoring the scale of disruption in one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors.

The war has effectively shut the narrow waterway, through which roughly one‑fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas normally transits. The collapse in vessel movements has deepened fears of prolonged supply shocks as tankers and cargo ships avoid the area amid escalating strikes and rising security risks.

Mar 09, 2026 at 01:33 PM EDT

Trump leaves door open to seizing Iranian oil as war expands

President Donald Trump on Monday declined to rule out the possibility of the United States taking control of Iranian oil, saying only that “people have talked about it” as the war aimed at crippling Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities enters its second week. In an interview with NBC News, Trump pointed to the U.S. operation in Venezuela, where Washington has already tapped significant oil reserves following the January raid that removed Nicolás Maduro from power.

Any move to claim Iranian crude would carry major geopolitical risks, particularly with China, which buys roughly 80 percent of Iran’s exports. Oil prices have already surged past $100 a barrel amid the conflict, with Iran accounting for about 5 percent of global production.

Trump also reiterated his dissatisfaction with Iran’s choice of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader, calling the succession a “mistake.” He spoke briefly about attending a dignified transfer ceremony in Delaware for six U.S. service members killed in the war, describing the families as “great people.”

The president used the interview to again press Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote. He suggested he would not take action on other legislation until the bill advances, though the White House declined to clarify whether that includes measures to reopen the Department of Homeland Security.

Trump avoided weighing in on the Republican Senate primary in Texas and said he remains focused on securing passage of the voting bill.

Mar 09, 2026 at 01:30 PM EDT

Larijani says Strait of Hormuz cannot be secured amid U.S.–Israel war

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Mar 09, 2026 at 01:22 PM EDT

Pentagon identifies seventh U.S. Service member killed in Iran war

The Pentagon has identified the seventh U.S. service member killed in the war with Iran as Army Sgt. Benjamin Pennington, a 26‑year‑old soldier from Glendale, Kentucky.

Pennington died Sunday, a week after sustaining injuries at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to a military statement. He served with the 1st Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, part of the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command.

A U.S. official said nine other service members remain seriously wounded, a designation indicating their injuries are life‑threatening.

Mar 09, 2026 at 01:09 PM EDT

Egypt’s leader condemns Iran’s attacks on its neighbors, Israel’s moves on Lebanon

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on Monday also urged deescalating the conflict in the region to avoid further “unprecedented repercussions” that could impact global economy and energy security.

“The national security of Arab countries is an integral part of Egyptian national security,” he said during an EU video conference held with some Arab leaders to discuss U.S.-Israel war on Iran, according to a statement by the president’s office.

El-Sissi also called for supporting Lebanon and exerting efforts to “prevent Israel from invading Lebanon during this difficult stage” and targeting the country’s infrastructure.

By The Associated Press

Mar 09, 2026 at 01:01 PM EDT

Israel says it hit ‘dozens’ of Iranian sites, including IRGC drone headquarters

The Israeli military says it has launched another wave of airstrikes across Iran, targeting what it described as dozens of sites linked to the Iranian government. In a statement posted on X, the IDF said its air force struck an IRGC drone headquarters, claiming the facility had previously been used to launch drones toward Israel and housed additional aircraft prepared for future attacks.

The military added that drone storage sites and air‑defense systems were also hit in the latest operation, part of Israel’s expanding campaign against Iranian military infrastructure. The strikes come amid escalating regional tensions as both sides continue to trade attacks across multiple fronts.

Mar 09, 2026 at 12:55 PM EDT

War in Iran triggers travel chaos as embassies urge citizens to leave region

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The U.S.-Israeli assault on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes have unleashed widespread travel disruption across the Middle East, prompting embassies to urge non‑essential citizens to leave Gulf states and other Arab nations. An Iranian official told CNN on Sunday there was no indication the fighting would end soon, after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned operations could continue for up to eight weeks. Civilians are once again bearing the brunt of the turmoil.

More than 32,000 U.S. citizens have returned home since the bombing campaign began on February 28, Assistant Secretary of State Dylan Johnson said. That figure includes those who left independently, while the State Department has organized nearly two dozen charter flights, the first departing Abu Dhabi for the Washington, D.C. area last Thursday.

Evacuations are underway for other nationals as well. Citizens from the U.K., Bulgaria, Italy, Austria, Slovakia, and Australia have boarded charter flights out of the region, and Canada is arranging its own repatriation missions.

Meanwhile, air travel across the Middle East has been thrown into chaos. Thousands of flights have been canceled daily since March 1, according to FlightAware, with airspace closures stranding more than 20,000 travelers in major hubs in the UAE. In Beirut, massive traffic jams have trapped residents trying to flee the city as Israeli strikes continued overnight.

Embassies have issued renewed warnings. The U.S. State Department has advised citizens to leave more than a dozen countries, including ordering non‑essential staff out of Ankara, Riyadh, and Doha. The U.S. Embassy in Israel instructed non‑essential personnel to depart on February 27, one day before the joint attacks began. Governments in the U.K., EU, Australia, and Pakistan have also urged citizens to avoid travel to the region as the conflict widens.

Mar 09, 2026 at 12:41 PM EDT

Calls grow for Australia to protect Iran’s women’s soccer team after anthem protest

Australia is facing mounting pressure to assist members of Iran’s national women’s soccer team after Iranian state media labeled the players “traitors” for remaining silent during the national anthem at the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia. The 26‑member squad is expected to return home after Sunday night’s final match, but members of the Iranian diaspora, sports officials, and Australian lawmakers fear the players could face reprisals upon arrival in Iran.

Concerns first escalated last week when the team stood silently during the anthem in what many viewed as a protest against the Iranian government. A commentator on Iranian state television called for their punishment. Tina Kordrostami, a Sydney‑area local councilor who has been in contact with some players, described the gesture as “one of the most courageous things I’ve seen.”

On Monday, Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s former shah, praised the players’ “brave act of civil disobedience” and urged the Australian government to ensure their safety. FIFPro, the global players’ union, also called on football authorities to work with Canberra to protect the team.

Australian officials have declined to comment on individual cases, though Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed solidarity with Iranian women and girls. Advocates say the players have been kept isolated throughout the tournament, with community groups and unions unable to reach them. Human rights campaigner Craig Foster said it is “clear they are being silenced and coerced,” noting Australia has previously granted emergency visas to at‑risk athletes.

Kordrostami, who spoke with one team member at their hotel Monday evening, said the players are terrified—especially for their families back home. After their silent protest in the first match, the team sang the anthem in subsequent games, which Kordrostami said was done under government pressure.

“They were born and raised in a country that removed any notion of having a choice for them,” she said.

Mar 09, 2026 at 12:32 PM EDT

Lebanon says 486 killed since march 2 as israeli strikes hit southern towns

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Monday that at least 486 people have been killed and 1,313 wounded since Israeli attacks began on March 2.

Amid the ongoing bombardment, Al Jazeera Arabic reported that an Israeli drone struck a car in Burj Rahal, a town in southern Lebanon, while a separate airstrike hit Srifa, another community in the same region

Mar 09, 2026 at 12:27 PM EDT

Kuwait urges Iraq to act after attacks allegedly launched from its territory

Kuwait’s ambassador to Iraq has urged Baghdad to intervene after claiming that attacks targeting Kuwait were launched from Iraqi territory, according to a statement released by Iraq’s Foreign Ministry. The ambassador shared information about the alleged incidents with the ministry’s undersecretary and called on the Iraqi government to stop them “in a way that preserves the fraternal relations between the two neighboring brotherly countries.”

In response, the Iraqi undersecretary said the government was making “major and exceptional efforts” to shield Iraq from the wider repercussions of the war in the region. He added that authorities were working to maintain security and stability as Iraq faces its own series of attacks amid escalating regional tensions.

The reference to launches from Iraqi soil is likely to heighten scrutiny of Iran‑backed militias operating inside the country, as concerns grow over their potential role in retaliatory actions linked to the war with Iran.

Mar 09, 2026 at 12:13 PM EDT

Oil price surges in wake of Iran War

Oil prices surged sharply at the start of the week, with Brent crude jumping more than 25 percent to exceed $110 per barrel, its highest level since 2022, as the escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel rattled global energy markets. The spike reflects mounting fears of supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil moves.

The conflict has already halted close to 90 percent of tanker traffic through the strait, following strikes on key energy infrastructure—including a major refinery in Saudi Arabia and an LNG facility in Qatar. Analysts warn that if the disruptions persist, crude prices could climb into the $120–$150 range.

Mar 09, 2026 at 12:08 PM EDT

Trump says Australia moving to assist Iranian women’s soccer players

President Donald Trump said Monday that he spoke with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the fate of the Iranian national women’s soccer team, praising Australia’s handling of what he called a “delicate situation.” In a post on social media, Trump said five players have already been assisted and that the remaining team members are “on their way,” though some are considering returning to Iran out of fear for their families’ safety.

Mar 09, 2026 at 11:59 AM EDT

Rubio says Iran ‘holding the world hostage’ as US expands military campaign

Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Iran on Monday of “trying to hold the world hostage,” using a State Department ceremony to restate the administration’s sweeping military objectives in the ongoing war. He said U.S. forces are focused on “destroying the ability of this regime to launch missiles — both by destroying their missiles and their launchers — destroy the factories that make these missiles and destroy their navy.”

Rubio insisted the campaign is progressing as planned. “Every single day, this regime in Iran has fewer missiles, fewer launchers, their factories work less, and their navy is being eviscerated,” he said, adding that the world would be “safer and better” once the mission is complete.

Mar 09, 2026 at 11:52 AM EDT

Iran’s IRGC claims new missile strikes on central and northern Israel

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Monday it launched a new round of missile strikes targeting central and northern Israel, escalating a barrage that has intensified throughout the conflict.

Local Israeli media reported loud explosions and air‑raid sirens, indicating incoming fire and active air‑defense interceptions.

Mar 09, 2026 at 11:46 AM EDT

US intercepts suspected Iranian coded transmission linked to sleeper cells

The United States has intercepted encrypted communications believed to have originated in Iran, raising concerns that the message may have been intended as an “operational trigger” for covert operatives abroad, according to a federal alert shared with law enforcement agencies. The warning, reviewed by ABC News, cites “preliminary signals analysis” of a transmission relayed across multiple countries shortly after the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the Feb. 28 U.S.-Israeli strike.

Officials said the encoded broadcast appeared designed for “clandestine recipients” with access to a specific encryption key—an offline method often used to reach “sleeper assets” without relying on digital networks. The alert notes that the transmission may have been intended to activate or instruct operatives positioned outside Iran, though its exact contents remain unknown.

The bulletin stresses that there is “no operational threat tied to a specific location,” but urges agencies to heighten monitoring of suspicious radio‑frequency activity. The sudden emergence of a new station with international rebroadcast characteristics, it said, warrants increased vigilance.

Mar 09, 2026 at 11:37 AM EDT

Iran War Briefing Day 10: Markets fall as oil surges, Tehran renews strikes

DEATH TOLL: Iran: 1,255. Lebanon: 394. Israel: 11 U.S.: 7 troops killed in action.

Stock markets across the world fell at their open on Monday after oil prices soared to their highest point in years. Iran has choked off the transit of oil and gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns for global supply.

At one point on Monday, Brent crude neared $120 a barrel before settling to over $100, a price point not seen since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Oil Panic

Iran's missle and drone attacks have all but stopped ships carrying oil and gas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran from traveling through the strait, which usually sees about 20 percent of the world's oil supplies.

President Trump has downplayed the oil shock, insisting that the US has enough supplies. He's said the 60 per cent price hike of the past week is a "small price to pay" for dismantling Iran's nuclear and military capabilities.

But several countries, particularly those in Asia heavily reliant on oil from the Persian Gulf, took action to address a looming shortage. South Korea imposed a fuel price cap on Monday- the first time in nearly 30 years.

Read the full briefing on Newsweek.

Mar 09, 2026 at 11:32 AM EDT

Oil surge sends global markets lower from New York to tokyo

Global markets stumbled at the start of the week as soaring oil prices tied to the conflict in Iran triggered fresh pressure on stocks and bonds from New York to Tokyo.

The S&P 500 slipped about 1 percent in early Monday trading, extending a sharp downturn after the benchmark index fell more than 2 percent last week—its steepest weekly drop in roughly five months.

Mar 09, 2026 at 11:18 AM EDT

WATCH: Qatar prime minister calls Iran attack ‘a betrayal’

Mar 09, 2026 at 11:06 AM EDT

G7 holds off on oil reserve release as prices spike, France says

France’s finance minister, Roland Lescure, said Monday that G7 nations have agreed not to release strategic oil reserves for now, despite a sharp surge in global prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters in Brussels after a virtual meeting with his counterparts and the International Energy Agency's chief, Fatih Birol, Lescure said, “We’re not there yet,” signaling that governments believe the situation has not yet reached the threshold for emergency action.

Brent crude briefly climbed to nearly $120 a barrel before easing, as traders weighed the risk of prolonged supply disruptions across the region. Lescure said the group had agreed to keep all options on the table, including tapping stockpiles if needed. “What we’ve agreed upon is to use any necessary tools, if need be, to stabilize the market,” he said.

Mar 09, 2026 at 11:04 AM EDT

Germany warns rising energy prices could hit economy amid Iran war

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz voiced concern Monday about surging energy costs linked to the widening war involving Iran, warning that the spike could weigh heavily on the German economy. “We are concerned about the development of energy prices,” Merz told reporters, adding that the fallout “could potentially have an impact” on growth and industry.

The remarks come after Merz visited the White House last week, where he expressed support for the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran but stressed that he hoped the conflict would end soon, citing its strain on the global economy. Energy markets have been volatile since the fighting began, with prices climbing sharply across Europe.

German officials have repeatedly warned that prolonged instability in the Middle East could threaten supply security and intensify inflation pressures already facing households and businesses.

Mar 09, 2026 at 10:51 AM EDT

Israel expands ground operations in Lebenon as strikes hit Beirut

Israeli forces pushed deeper into southern Lebanon on Monday, raiding new areas as part of an effort to widen a military‑controlled buffer zone along the border. The advance came alongside heavy airstrikes on the southern outskirts of Beirut, where explosions echoed across the capital. Israel had earlier threatened to target sites linked to Al‑Qard Al‑Hasan, the financial arm of Hezbollah.

The Israeli military said its troops had seized additional positions inside Lebanon after days of incremental gains. The escalation follows Hezbollah’s rocket attack last week, launched in retaliation for the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the opening phase of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

Lebanon’s health ministry reported nearly 400 people killed so far, including more than 80 children. UNICEF’s regional director called the toll a devastating reminder of the conflict’s impact on young people. Israel claims to have killed more than 190 Hezbollah fighters but has not addressed civilian casualties.

The fighting has deepened Lebanon’s political crisis. Parliament postponed legislative elections for two years, citing the war, while public frustration with Hezbollah continues to rise as many Lebanese say they were dragged into a conflict they did not choose.

Analysts warn the latest Israeli moves could signal preparations for a broader ground offensive. Israel has mobilized roughly 100,000 reservists, though military officials insist the current operations are defensive measures to secure frontline positions.

Mar 09, 2026 at 10:38 AM EDT

UK liberal Democrat leader urges king to cancel US visit over Iran

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called on King Charles III to cancel his planned state visit to the United States, arguing that proceeding would legitimize what he described as President Trump’s “illegal war” against Iran. The trip, expected next month as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, has not yet been formally confirmed by Buckingham Palace.

Davey urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to advise the monarch to withdraw, saying a state visit would hand Trump an unnecessary diplomatic victory at a moment when the conflict is destabilizing the Middle East and driving up energy costs for British households. Government officials have previously indicated that planning for the visit was underway, though Starmer’s office declined to comment.

The demand comes as Starmer’s relationship with Trump has deteriorated sharply. The president has repeatedly criticized the UK for refusing to join the initial strikes on Iran and lashed out again after Britain announced new naval deployments to the Gulf. Trump has also complained about the UK’s initial refusal to allow U.S. aircraft to launch attacks from the jointly operated base on the Chagos Islands.

Labour minister Steve Reed dismissed Davey’s intervention, saying it was not for the Liberal Democrat leader to dictate the king’s schedule. The party holds 72 seats in Parliament, making it the third‑largest bloc.

Mar 09, 2026 at 10:32 AM EDT

Trump urges Australia to grant asylum to Iran’s women’s soccer team

President Donald J. Trump publicly pressed Australia on Monday to grant asylum to members of Iran’s national women’s soccer team, warning they could face deadly reprisals if forced to return home. In a post on social media, Trump called Australia’s handling of the situation a “terrible humanitarian mistake” and urged the prime minister to intervene. He added that the United States would accept the players if Australia declined.

Mar 09, 2026 at 10:25 AM EDT

Ukraine weighs drone support requests as demand surges amid war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv has received 11 requests from countries bordering Iran, several European states, and the United States seeking help countering Iranian‑designed drones. He said Ukraine’s battlefield experience has become increasingly valuable as drone attacks spread across the Middle East.

Zelensky wrote on X that partners are specifically asking for interceptors, electronic‑warfare systems, and training. He stressed that Ukraine is willing to assist nations that support its own defense, noting that some requests have already resulted in concrete decisions.

After four years of near‑daily Russian strikes, Ukraine has developed extensive expertise in drone interception. But Zelensky warned that Kyiv itself faces shortages of air‑defense missiles—especially as the U.S. and its allies divert munitions to protect bases in the Gulf from Iranian attacks. He has previously floated the idea of weapons exchanges with Middle Eastern countries to ease pressure on Ukraine’s stockpiles.

Kyiv will now assess which additional requests it can meet without weakening its own defenses, Zelensky said.

Mar 09, 2026 at 10:12 AM EDT

Iran installs new supreme leader as war deepens and markets reel: Here is what you might have missed

Iran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader has reshaped the political landscape and intensified fears that the Middle East war is far from over. The move signals that hard‑line factions remain firmly in control, dimming hopes for a rapid de‑escalation and rattling global energy markets already on edge.

Oil prices surged and stocks tumbled worldwide as investors braced for a longer‑than‑expected disruption to energy supplies. The White House has yet to respond, though President Trump previously called Mojtaba Khamenei an unacceptable successor and insisted the U.S. should influence the selection.

Inside Iran, state media broadcast large pro‑government rallies, while officials and institutions pledged loyalty to the new leader. But Iranians reached by phone described a divided public—supporters celebrating a wartime show of strength, opponents fearing the end of any chance for reform.

Israel, which had vowed to target whoever replaced Ali Khamenei, said it struck sites in central Iran and launched new operations in Lebanon, including a limited ground raid. Iran’s ambassador to the U.N. said U.S.-Israeli attacks have killed more than 1,300 civilians and wounded thousands, while Lebanon has reported dozens of deaths.

Mar 09, 2026 at 10:07 AM EDT

HRW says Israel used white phosphorus in southern Lebanon, violating international law

Human Rights Watch (HRW) says it has verified evidence that Israel used white phosphorus munitions over residential areas in southern Lebanon earlier this month, a practice the group says violates international humanitarian law. In a report released Monday, the New York–based organization confirmed the authenticity of seven images showing airburst white phosphorus over the town of Yohmor on March 3, with fires breaking out in at least two homes.

Ramzi Kaiss, HRW’s Lebanon researcher, called the findings “extremely alarming,” warning that the incendiary substance can cause fatal burns and lifelong injuries. White phosphorus ignites on contact with oxygen and can set homes, farmland, and civilian infrastructure ablaze. HRW said the munitions were used unlawfully in populated areas, where their effects are indiscriminate.

The group verified and geolocated images posted by Lebanese media and by the civil defense team of the Islamic Health Committee, showing responders extinguishing fires on rooftops and in a vehicle. HRW concluded the blazes were likely caused by white phosphorus–impregnated felt wedges from artillery‑delivered M825‑series 155mm shells.

HRW urged Israel to halt the use of such munitions and called on key allies — including the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany — to suspend arms transfers and impose targeted sanctions on officials implicated in serious violations.

The report comes as Israel intensifies strikes across Beirut’s southern suburbs, where at least 394 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured in recent attacks, according to Lebanese authorities. More than half a million people have been displaced across Lebanon as evacuation orders expand.

Mar 09, 2026 at 10:02 AM EDT

UAE says two service members killed in helicopter crash

The UAE Ministry of Defense announced Monday that two members of the Armed Forces were killed after a military helicopter crashed due to what officials described as a technical malfunction. The aircraft went down while the crew was carrying out national duties inside the United Arab Emirates, according to the ministry’s statement.

Authorities offered condolences to the families of the two “martyrs,” asking God to grant them mercy and provide comfort to their loved ones. No additional details about the cause of the malfunction or the nature of the mission were released.

View this post on X

Mar 09, 2026 at 10:01 AM EDT

NATO intercepts missile aimed at Turkey amid Iran tensions

NATO confirmed Monday that its air‑defense systems intercepted a missile targeting Turkey, after Turkish authorities said the projectile had been launched from Iran. In a brief statement, alliance spokeswoman Allison Hart said, “NATO stands firm in its readiness to defend all allies against any threat.”

The interception underscores how the widening conflict involving Iran is increasingly drawing in regional and international security structures. Turkey, a key NATO member bordering the Middle East, has faced growing spillover risks as missile activity intensifies across the region.

Mar 09, 2026 at 09:49 AM EDT

UK and European markets slide as Iran war fuels inflation fears

A fresh wave of market turmoil hit Europe on Monday as investors braced for what analysts warned could be a “tidal wave” of inflation driven by the escalating conflict in Iran. London’s FTSE 100 dropped nearly 200 points—almost 2 percent—while Germany’s DAX fell even further, sliding 2.3 percent in early trading.

The sharp sell-off reflects growing expectations that central banks may be forced to raise interest rates to counter rising prices. In the U.K., markets are now pricing in the possibility of a Bank of England rate hike in the coming weeks, a move that would increase borrowing costs for households, businesses, and the government.

Yields on U.K. government bonds have climbed significantly since the crisis began, making it more expensive for the government to finance its operations. With energy prices surging and geopolitical risks mounting, policymakers face a tightening economic squeeze just as the conflict shows no sign of easing.

Mar 09, 2026 at 09:36 AM EDT

Crowds rally in Tehran as Iran launches new strikes amid leadership shift

Crowds filled Enghelab Square in central Tehran on March 9 as demonstrators waved Iranian flags and rallied in support of the country’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. The show of loyalty came on the same day Iran unleashed another round of missile strikes on Israel and Gulf states, underscoring how the leadership transition is unfolding amid an expanding regional war.

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Mar 09, 2026 at 09:23 AM EDT

G7 ministers weigh joint oil release as prices surge past $100

G7 finance ministers are meeting Monday to discuss a possible coordinated release of strategic oil reserves, as governments scramble to contain a price spike driven by escalating conflict in the Middle East.

A European Commission spokesperson said the bloc would await the outcome of the G7 talks before taking a position, noting that ministers “will determine the next steps.” Germany’s finance ministry offered a similar message, saying the economic fallout from the war involving Iran would be a key topic.

The meeting, first reported by the Financial Times and Reuters, comes as strikes across the region threaten major energy sites and shipping routes. Oil surged above $100 a barrel on Sunday for the first time since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Members of the International Energy Agency are required to hold reserves equal to at least 90 days of net imports, which can be tapped during severe supply disruptions. With markets tightening rapidly, pressure is growing for a coordinated release.

Mar 09, 2026 at 09:10 AM EDT

Israel escalates strikes as Iran instability pushes oil prices higher

Israel has expanded its military campaign across Iran and Lebanon, launching what it called a “wide‑scale wave” of strikes on regime-linked sites in Tehran, Esfahan and southern Iran. The escalation comes just as Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ali Khamenei, assumes power as Iran’s new supreme leader.

In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs, according to the National News Agency, as regional fronts continue to widen.

Iran dismissed the prospect of negotiations, saying talks are impossible “while military aggression continues.” Saudi Arabia accused Tehran of targeting it based on “baseless claims,” while Russia’s Vladimir Putin sent congratulations to Iran’s new leader.

Global markets reacted immediately. Oil prices surged, dragging European stocks and U.S. futures lower. Gas prices worldwide have climbed roughly 17 percent since the conflict began.

Mar 09, 2026 at 08:56 AM EDT

Turkey says NATO intercepted Iranian ballistic missile

Turkey's defense ministry said NATO assets in the Mediterranean had intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile heading for the country on Monday, the second time Ankara has said it has been a target of Iranian attacks.

Debris from the missile fell in an open area near the southern city of Gaziantep, close to the Turkish border with Syria, Turkey said. No one was injured.

Iran had denied firing a ballistic missile at Turkey after Ankara said NATO had shot down a missile heading for the country last week.

Turkey is a NATO member, meaning it is covered by the alliance's key principle of collective defense. An attack on one country in NATO is considered an attack on all.

However, NATO chief Mark Rutte downplayed these concerns, saying on Thursday there was no talk of invoking this principle, known as Article 5.

Mar 09, 2026 at 08:46 AM EDT

Iranian newspaper front page challenges Trump on Minab strike

Iranian English-language daily newspaper, the Tehran Times, has shared an image of its Monday front page, showing the faces of the more than 165 people, mostly children, killed at a school in southern Iran earlier in the conflict.

"Trump, Look Them in the Eyes," reads the headline, surrounded by black-and-white images of children and their names. The U.S. has denied it was responsible for the explosion at the elementary school in Minab, in southern Iran, on the first day of the U.S.-Israeli strikes that began on February 28. Trump suggested Iranian weapons were used in the attack as the U.S. said it was investigating.

But mounting evidence suggests a U.S. weapon was responsible for the deadly attack on the school, which was close to a base for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

Trevor Ball, a researcher with the Bellingcat investigative group, shared a brief clip on Sunday Ball identified as a U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile striking the IRGC base. Ball said the video had been released by Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency and geolocated to Minab by Bellingcat. Newsweek could not independently verify this.

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Mar 09, 2026 at 08:01 AM EDT

One killed, two seriously hurt in central Israel

One person has been killed and two seriously injured in an Iranian missile attack on several areas of central Israel, local emergency officials have said.

The deceased man was roughly 40 years old, and a man of a similar age was taken to a nearby hospital in a "serious and unstable condition," Israel's Magen David Adom service said. Both men were initially found unconscious at a construction site.

Another man in his 30s sustained shrapnel wounds and is in a "serious condition," MDA said.

Mar 09, 2026 at 07:44 AM EDT

Bahrain has intercepted more than 100 Iranian missiles

Bahrain's military has said it has intercepted 102 Iranian ballistic missiles and 171 attack drones since February 28.

This is an increase of seven drones and seven missiles since the last update from Manama, late on Sunday local time.

Mar 09, 2026 at 07:20 AM EDT

Photos show dark smoke, fire in Tehran after oil depot strikes

With oil prices at their highest per barrel in years as of Monday morning, here is a reminder of the images we have seen of strikes on Iranian oil facilities over the weekend.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had said on Saturday it had struck several fuel storage sites in Tehran used to prop up Iran's military operations. The IDF called it a "significant" blow to Tehran.

Iran has in turn targeted oil infrastructure elsewhere in the Middle East, exacerbating global oil fears already in play over oil tankers unable to pass through the vital shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz.

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Clips widely circulating on social media over the weekend also showed orange flames rising high into the sky above a highway in Tehran, with thick, dark smoke obscuring the sky.

Residents of Iran's capital reported feeling breathless while Iran's Red Crescent humanitarian organization warned against acid rain splashing down on members of the public, as well as lung damage and chemical burns.

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Mar 09, 2026 at 06:56 AM EDT

Two people injured by debris in Abu Dhabi

Two people have been injured after debris from an Iranian attack on the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi fell in two separate locations, officials said.

A Jordanian national sustained a "minor injury" and an Egyptian citizen was moderately wounded after air defenses intercepted Iranian attacks on the city, authorities in Abu Dhabi said in a statement.

Mar 09, 2026 at 06:53 AM EDT

Russia congratulates Iran’s new supreme leader

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent his "sincere congratulations" to Iran's newly-selected supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, after Iranian media announced overnight the son of the country's former leader would take up the mantle in Tehran.

"At a time when Iran is confronting armed aggression, your tenure in this high position will undoubtedly require great courage and dedication," Putin said in a statement published on the Kremlin's website. "I am confident that you will honorably continue your father's work and unite the Iranian people in the face of severe trials."

Khamenei's father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes on Tehran more than a week ago. He had led the country, which had in recent months contended with persistent anti-regime protests, for nearly 40 years and was only the second supreme leader of Iran since the 1979 revolution that brought down Iran's monarchy.

"I would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends. Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner of the Islamic Republic," Putin added.

Iran has been a key supplier of one-way attack drones Russia has used to extensively attack Ukrainian cities in the more than four years of full-scale war in eastern Europe. Tehran has also long bought Russian-made air defense systems, although many of these are thought to have been destroyed by U.S. and Israeli forces.

Mar 09, 2026 at 06:34 AM EDT

G7 to meet to discuss oil prices on Monday, new reports suggest

Finance ministers from the G7 nations, or some of the world's largest economies, will meet on Monday to discuss the economic reverberations of the strikes in the Middle East and soaring oil prices, according to new reports.

South Korea earlier on Monday had announced plans to cap fuel prices for the first time in nearly three decades.

On the agenda for a call scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET is a possible release of petroleum from reserves, the Financial Times reported this morning, citing unnamed individuals familiar with the matter. The release would be led by the International Energy Agency, a 32-nation forum accounting for 80 percent of the world's energy consumption, according to the report.

The G7 nations are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the U.S. France is currently holding the rotating G7 presidency, and French media carried a statement from the country's finance ministry on Monday, saying officials would "review the situation in the Gulf from an economic point of view."

Mar 09, 2026 at 06:09 AM EDT

Saudi Arabia warns of Iran ‘escalation’ after new attacks

Saudi Arabia has issued a new statement condemning Iranian attacks on its territory and elsewhere in the Middle East, saying it "cannot be accepted or justified under any circumstances."

Continued aerial assaults from Iran "represent further escalation," the foreign ministry in Riyadh said on Monday. "Iran's current actions toward our countries do not reflect wisdom or serve the interest of avoiding a widening of escalation, in which Iran would be the greatest loser."

The Saudi defense ministry had reported at least nine drones were shot down overnight into Monday heading for the kingdom's major Shaybah oilfield. Another drone was shot down over the northern Saudi region of Al-Jawf, authorities said.

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Mar 09, 2026 at 05:40 AM EDT

Why are oil prices spiking?

As we reported earlier, oil prices surpassed $100 a barrel on Monday for the first time since 2022, when Russia — a major oil exporter — launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Nearly a week and a half of strikes stretching across the Middle East have raised fears about future energy supplies traveling out to the rest of the world through the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Around 20 percent of the world's oil supplies travel through the Strait of Hormuz, which flows into the Persian Gulf. Traffic through the strait has all but dried up under the threat of strikes on vessels in the area.

On top of this, Iran has targeted energy infrastructure, including oil sites, in the Gulf states, which are key for international supplies. Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted at least nine Iranian drones heading for its Shaybah oil field in the early hours of Monday.

Bapco Energies, the main energy company in Bahrain, said it had declared "force majeure" because of a recent attack on its oil refinery and the reverberations of the strikes in the Middle East. When a company declares force majeure, it can temporarily cut off deliveries and other operations without breaching its legal contracts, usually in response to wars, natural disasters or assaults on infrastructure.

Mar 09, 2026 at 05:21 AM EDT

Oil price hikes ‘small price to pay’: Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump said late on Sunday that global oil prices surging over the continued strikes across the Middle East was "a very small price to pay."

Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform, said oil prices would sink back down "rapidly" once the U.S. and Israel finished up attacks on Iran's nuclear sites.

As a reminder, the U.S and Israel started joint strikes on Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile sites on February 28. Iran has retaliated with attacks on U.S.-aligned countries across the Middle East.

Aerial assaults continued for a tenth day on Monday as dawn broke across the region. The U.S. and Israel say it's unacceptable for Iran to gain access to a nuclear weapon, which was a big part of the reason the two countries attacked Iran in June last year. Iran says it has a peaceful nuclear program but international experts said Tehran has stockpiles of uranium enriched close to what would be needed for operational nuclear weapons.

Here is Trump's statement in full:

"Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace. ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY!President DJT."

Mar 09, 2026 at 05:04 AM EDT

32 injured in Bahrain as air raids activated overnight

Sirens blared in Bahrain at least three times overnight, shortly after health officials in the country said 32 people had been injured in an Iranian drone attack near the capital, Manama, early on Monday.

Four people were seriously injured in the drone attack on the island of Sitra, including children, Bahrain's ministry of health said in a statement carried by the Bahrain News Agency.

The youngest person injured was a two-month-old baby, according to officials. A 17-year-old girl sustained head and eye wounds, while two children, aged seven and eight, suffered "serious injuries" to their lower limbs, the national news agency reported.

All of those hurt in the attack were Bahraini citizens.

Mar 09, 2026 at 05:00 AM EDT

Who Is Mojtaba Khamenei?

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was born in 1969 in Mashhad, about 10 years before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. After the fall of the Shah, his family moved to Tehran. He fought in the Iran-Iraq war, the Associated Press reported.

He became an increasingly influential figure as his father took power in 1989. The AP reported U.S. diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks had described him as "the power behind the robes" and "widely viewed within the regime as a capable and forceful leader and manager who may someday succeed to at least a share of national leadership."

Mojtaba was an early frontrunner to become Supreme Leader, having been touted by many as his father's most likely successor long before the U.S. and Israeli strikes. He had studied with religious clerics in Qom, creating relationships with religious leadership, The New York Times reported. Many of the country's hard-liner clerics have supported his ascension.

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Mar 09, 2026 at 04:56 AM EDT

Israel carries out new strikes on Iran, Lebanon

The Israeli military issued multiple air raid alerts overnight into Monday as Israel carried out renewed attacks on Iran and Lebanon-based militant group, Hezbollah.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had struck several Iranian long-range ballistic missile launch sites, a facility making rocket engines and Iranian command centers early on Monday. The IDF separately said it had targeted Iran-backed Hezbollah in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

Mar 09, 2026 at 04:36 AM EDT

Iran launches fresh attacks across the region

Iranian state media has reported new Iranian missile and drone barrages targeting U.S. bases across the Middle East to coincide with the announcement of Tehran's new supreme leader.

Iranian reports, citing the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said the country fired several types of medium-range ballistic missiles at U.S. sites and Israel late on Sunday.

Mar 09, 2026 at 04:32 AM EDT

Iranian parliament endorses new supreme leader

Members of Iran's parliament have pledged allegiance to Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who was announced as the new Iranian leader overnight.

Khamenei is the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the longtime Iranian supreme leader who was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran more than a week ago. He had ruled for nearly four decades, and was only the second leader of Iran since the 1979 revolution brought clerics to power in the country.

Iranian parliamentary officials issued a statement calling the new supreme leader the most suitable choice to head up the regime in Tehran, according to Iranian state media.

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