Dubai: Iran has launched more attacks on Israel and Gulf countries while more than a week of heavy US and Israeli bombardment continues. Iranian state TV announced early Monday that Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has been named supreme leader in defiance of threats by US President Donald Trump.
- Khamenei, who is seen as even more hard-line than his father, will now be in charge of Iran’s armed forces and any decision about Tehran’s nuclear program. The appointment marks a new sign of defiance by Iran’s embattled leadership after more than a week of heavy US and Israeli bombardment.
- Oil prices surged Monday, leading to more worries that higher energy costs will fuel inflation and lead to less spending by US consumers, the main engine of the economy. Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index plunged as much as 7% in early Monday trading, whileother Asian markets also tumbled.
- The US military announced a seventh American service member has died of injuries sustained during an Iranian attack on troops stationed in Saudi Arabia. The first six deaths were Army reservists killed in a March 1 attack in a Kuwaiti port.
- The death toll continues to rise: The war has killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, at least 397 in Lebanon and 11 in Israel, according to officials in those countries.
- Saudi Arabia sharpened its warnings to Iran, telling Tehran Monday it would be the “biggest loser” if it continues to attack Arab states. The Saudi statement came after a new drone attack apparently targeted its massive Shaybah oil field.
UAE says 2 military personnel killed in noncombat helicopter crash
The United Arab Emirates announced Monday the deaths of two non-combat members of its armed forces following the crash of a helicopter due to a “technical malfunction.”
This comes as the ministry continues to work against what it said were hundreds of missiles and drones fired by Iran toward the country in a war that started over a week ago.
Egypt’s leader condemns Iran’s attacks on its neighbors, Israel’s moves on Lebanon
President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi Monday also urged de-escalating the conflict in the region to avoid further “unprecedented repercussions” that could impact the 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 US-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.
Marco Rubio says the US is well on its way to destroying the Iranian missile threat
The Secretary of State says the United States is “well on our way” to destroying Iran’s ability to threaten its neighbors and the world with missiles.
Speaking Monday at a State Department ceremony to honor Americans wrongfully detained abroad in countries including in Iran, Rubio said the goal of the continuing US air strikes is to eliminate Iran’s ballistic missile stockpile, its ability to produce them and its ability to launch them.
“We are well on our way to achieving that objective,” he said, adding that it is being done “with overwhelming force, with overwhelming precision.”
US designates Sudan branch of Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation
The Trump administration has designated the Sudan branch of the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation, accusing it of getting training and other support from Iran. It’s the fourth chapter of the group the US has hit with the label.
The State Department said Monday that the Sudan branch would be classified as a “specially designated global terrorist” group with immediate effect and would be labeled a “foreign terrorist organisation” once a congressional review of the move is complete on March 16. It said the group was responsible for “mass executions of civilians” among other things.
The SDGT designation imposes sanctions but the FTO designation ramps up those penalties to include making it a crime to provide material support for the group or its members.
The administration has previously designated the Lebanese branch of the group an FTO and the chapters in Egypt and Jordan as SDGTs.
German leader says it’s up to Iran to stop the fighting
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday that “it is up to this regime and the so-called Revolutionary Guard alone to stop the fighting.”
He added that “so long as this not the case, I assume that Israel and America will continue their defense against this regime.”
Merz said the threat posed by the Iranian government reaches far beyond the region, pointing to its support for Russia in the war in Ukraine. He said that “Iran is the center of international terrorism, and this center must be closed. And the Americans and Israelis are doing that in their way.”
Qatar intercepts 17 missiles and 6 drones
Qatar’s Defence Ministry said Monday it intercepted all 17 missiles and six drones launched from Iran toward the Gulf nation on Monday, as Iran continues to attack neighboring Arab states. There was no damage or casualties, the ministry said.
Ukraine is helping nations seeking assistance against drones
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that Ukraine had received 11 requests from countries seeking assistance in countering threats linked to Iran. They include Iran’s neighbors, European countries and the United States.
Writing on social media, Zelenskyy said the requests focus on Ukraine’s experience in defending against drones, including interceptor systems, electronic warfare and training.
He said Kyiv is ready to help those who helped defend Ukrainian lives and independence. He added that Kyiv had already responded to some requests with specific decisions and support, and would consider further assistance as long as it does not weaken Ukraine’s own defenses.
“Ukraine’s priority is clear: the Iranian regime must not gain any advantage over those defending lives, and everyone must work together to achieve tangible stabilization both in the region and in global markets,” the Ukrainian leader said.
Japan condemns Iran’s attacks on civilians in the Gulf
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said he condemned Iran’s attacks on civilians in Gulf nations and other actions that threaten freedom of navigation and safety in the Strait of Hormuz during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.
Motegi said he repeated Japan’s position that Iran must never possess nuclear weapons. He also insisted that Iran promptly release two Japanese nationals. Motegi said Araghchi provided Iran’s position and promised his country’s full cooperation in ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals.
