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By Prashant Jain | America News World | March 9, 2026

The Middle East is on fire right now. The war between Iran and Israel has entered a dangerous new phase — and the whole world is watching closely.

After nine days of intense fighting, Iran has quietly chosen a new Supreme Leader. The country’s top clerical council has selected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His father was killed earlier in the conflict.

Iranian attacks have killed 10 people in Israel.

A senior cleric confirmed the decision in a video, saying, “The name of Khamenei will continue.” The official announcement is expected very soon.

This is a big moment. Choosing Mojtaba signals that hardline forces are still firmly in control of Iran.

He had built deep connections inside Iran’s military and powerful business networks for years under his father.

US President Trump Weighs In

US President Donald Trump is not staying silent. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, he made it clear that Washington wants a say in who leads Iran. “If he doesn’t get approval from us, he’s not going to last long,” Trump said bluntly on ABC News.

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Trump has justified the large US military operation in Iran by saying Tehran was close to building a nuclear weapon and posed a direct threat to America. So far, this is the biggest US military action in the Middle East since the Iraq war in 2003.

Black Smoke Over Tehran

On the ground in Iran, things look devastating. Thick black smoke covered the skies over Tehran on Sunday after Israeli strikes hit major oil storage facilities. Huge orange flames lit up the night sky. Iran’s foreign ministry called it “a dangerous new phase” and said targeting fuel depots amounts to a war crime.

Israel pushed back, saying those depots were used to fuel Iran’s war machine, including storing material for ballistic missiles. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to strike Iran’s leaders “without mercy” and said his government has “many surprises” planned ahead.

Gulf Nations Under Fire

The conflict has now spread beyond Iran and Israel. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain all reported Iranian drone and missile attacks over the weekend. In Kuwait, a fire destroyed a government building and two officers were killed.

In Saudi Arabia, two people died after a missile hit a residential area. Bahrain reported that an Iranian drone damaged one of its key desalination plants — a facility that provides clean water to thousands of people.

The UAE said it shot down 16 ballistic missiles and 113 drones fired at the country in a single day.

The Human Cost

The numbers are deeply painful. At least 1,332 Iranian civilians have been killed in US-Israeli strikes. Ten people have died in Israel from Iranian attacks. Six US service members have also lost their lives.

Lebanon has been pulled into the conflict too, with Israel striking central Beirut after Iran-backed Hezbollah launched rockets into Israeli territory.

This war is growing fast. The world is praying for peace — but right now, none is in sight.