Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday pledged “unwavering support” to Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who was appointed after his father and predecessor was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes.
“I would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends,” Putin said in a message to Khamenei, adding that “Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner” to Iran.
“At a time when Iran is confronting armed aggression, your tenure in this high position will undoubtedly require great courage and dedication,” the Russian leader said.
Meanwhile, tensions across West Asia continued to escalate. In central Israel, one person was killed by shrapnel after several explosions were heard shortly after the military reported detecting new missiles launched from Iran.
Heavy blasts were also reported in Iran’s capital Tehran on Monday, according to AFP journalists, though it was not immediately clear what had been targeted.
Israel earlier launched a fresh wave of strikes in central Iran, hitting security facilities and missile launch sites. The Israeli military said the targets included a rocket engine production facility and several long-range ballistic missile launch sites.
Iran also continued retaliatory strikes against Gulf nations. Bahrain sounded air-raid sirens on Monday and urged residents to seek shelter amid Iranian threats. “The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place,” the country’s interior ministry said.
Earlier in the day, Iranian strikes hit Bahrain’s largest oil refinery, BAPCO, prompting the state oil company to declare force majeure.
The escalation comes after the United States and Israel, for the first time since the conflict began, struck oil facilities across Iran, including in Tehran.
Saudi Arabia said it had shot down four Iranian drones heading towards the Shaybah oilfield, while the United Arab Emirates reported its air defence systems responding to a missile attack.
Iran appoints Supreme Leader successor
With the conflict entering its second week, Iran named Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader, state broadcaster IRIB reported. Mojtaba is the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the joint US-Israeli strikes.
The broadcaster said on its Telegram channel that Iran had launched its “first wave of missiles under Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei towards occupied territories.”
Qatar, Saudi Arabia targeted in attacks
After Qatar’s interior ministry warned of an elevated security threat, the country’s defence ministry said its armed forces intercepted a missile attack.
Saudi Arabia also said its air forces intercepted and destroyed a drone over the Rub al-Khali desert that was allegedly heading toward the Shaybah oilfield. Earlier, the Saudi defence ministry said it had foiled ballistic missile attacks on Prince Sultan Air Base as well as drone strikes targeting Riyadh.
IRGC pledges allegiance
After Mojtaba, 56, was chosen by Iran’s Assembly of Experts, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps quickly pledged allegiance to the new supreme leader, according to AFP.
Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei described the announcement as “a source of joy and hope,” while senior official Ali Larijani said the election was “completely legal.”
US President Donald Trump earlier told ABC that the new leader was “not going to last long” if he did not receive Washington’s approval. Israel has also vowed to target “any successor.”
Trump calls new leader ‘lightweight’
While the White House did not immediately respond to the appointment, Trump had previously described the new Iranian leader as “a lightweight.”
“We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” he said in an interview with Axios last week.
Israeli strikes intensify
The Israeli military said it had struck the headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards’ air force, which it described as operating the ballistic missile command, unmanned aerial vehicle array, and other air force units.
Israel has carried out extensive air strikes across Iran since the conflict began, hitting more than 140 targets on Sunday alone, according to military officials.
“What we mainly need right now is perseverance and patience. It will take a long time yet. You need to be prepared for that, and however long it takes, it will take,” Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said during an assessment with military officials.
US evacuates some embassy staff from Saudi Arabia
Amid the rising tensions, the United States ordered non-emergency embassy staff and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia.
The US State Department said the move was taken due to safety risks after Iranian retaliatory attacks in the region.
The advisory came after drones targeted the US embassy in Riyadh last week, with diplomatic missions in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates also reportedly coming under attack.
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