Washington DC / Tehran / Moscow, March 10 (ANI): US President Donald Trump said he is “not happy” with the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new Supreme Leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, amid escalating military conflict in West Asia.
Speaking to Fox News host Brian Kilmeade on Monday (local time), Trump gave his first reaction to Mojtaba Khamenei’s elevation, saying simply, “I am not happy.”
The 56-year-old cleric was appointed to Iran’s highest political and religious office by the 88-member Assembly of Experts, which confirmed that he had been “appointed and introduced as the third leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran” following a decisive vote.
The leadership transition comes after the killing of Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli military strikes on Iran on February 28, which also eliminated several senior Iranian leaders.
Before the official announcement, Trump had suggested that Washington should have a role in determining Iran’s leadership. Speaking to ABC News earlier, he remarked that the longevity of any new Iranian leader could depend on US recognition.
“If he doesn’t get approval from us, he’s not going to last long,” Trump said.
However, the Assembly of Experts rejected external pressure and finalised the succession despite what it described as “the brutal aggression of the criminal America and the evil Zionist regime.”
Iran Rejects Pressure, Warns of Retaliation
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned US and Israeli military operations, stating that Iran would not bow to intimidation or aggression.
Speaking in Tehran, Pezeshkian said external powers were attempting to create divisions between Iran and neighbouring Arab countries but insisted Tehran seeks cooperative relations with regional states.
“Our Iran, our country, will not bow easily in the face of bullying, oppression or aggression,” he said, adding that Iran would respond if its territory were attacked.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi also mocked the US military campaign — dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” — calling it “Operation Epic Mistake.”
In a post on X, Araghchi warned that Iran was fully prepared for further escalation.
“Iran is fully prepared. And we, too, have many surprises in store,” he wrote.
Oil Prices Surge Amid Escalating Conflict
The conflict has rattled global energy markets. Brent crude prices surged more than 25 percent, reaching about USD 116.5 per barrel and briefly touching USD 119.45 during trading.
Energy experts warn that continued escalation could push prices toward USD 150 per barrel if supply disruptions persist.
Trump dismissed concerns about rising oil prices, arguing the spike would be temporary if Iran’s nuclear capability were eliminated.
“Short-term oil prices… are a very small price to pay for U.S.A. and world safety and peace,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Russia Backs Iran as Trump and Putin Speak
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Trump to discuss the Iran crisis and the war in Ukraine.
According to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, the hour-long conversation was “businesslike, open and constructive.” Trump reportedly reaffirmed US support for a long-term settlement to the Ukraine conflict.
Putin also discussed the situation in Iran and his recent conversations with Pezeshkian and Gulf leaders.
Following Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment, Putin sent a message congratulating the new Supreme Leader and reaffirmed Russia’s support for Tehran during the ongoing conflict.
He warned that continued fighting in West Asia could severely disrupt global oil and gas flows and create a “new price reality” for energy markets.
Military Escalation Across the Region
The conflict continues to widen across West Asia.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accused Iran of firing cluster munitions at civilian areas in Israel, including the city of Rishon LeZion.
IDF international spokesperson Nadav Shoshani said intentionally targeting civilians constitutes a war crime.
“By using cluster munitions, the Iranian terrorist regime is trying to maximize its chances to kill Israeli civilians,” he said.
Israel also launched operations in southern Lebanon targeting infrastructure linked to the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, NATO confirmed that it intercepted a missile heading toward Türkiye, underscoring fears that the conflict could spread further across the region.
Growing Regional War
Since the February 28 strikes that killed Ali Khamenei, Iran has launched retaliatory attacks against US military bases in several Arab countries and Israeli assets across the region.
The United States and Israel have continued strikes on Iranian targets, including sites in Tehran and the religious city of Qom.
With fighting expanding to Lebanon and tensions rising across the Middle East, analysts warn the conflict could evolve into a wider regional war with global economic consequences.
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