Iran picks new leader as escalating war deepens oil shock

"The attacks overnight into Sunday came as Arab states across the Persian Gulf continued to face incoming missiles and drones from Iran, which said it had the capacity to sustain the war for months. The Red Crescent warned of toxic acid rain following the Israeli strikes. Tehran didn't disclose the identity of the new leader."

"The UAE and Kuwait began reducing oil production amid the near-closure of the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world's energy exports transit. The Iranian strike on Bahrain came after Tehran accused the U.S. of hitting one of its water desalination plants."

"When the enemy attacks us from bases in the region, we respond and will continue to respond, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said on state television on Saturday. Countries in the region must either prevent the U.S. from using their territory against Iran themselves, or we will."

Iran appointed a new supreme leader while escalating military operations across the Middle East on the ninth day of conflict. Iranian forces attacked water infrastructure in Bahrain and other Gulf targets using missiles and drones. Israel responded by striking Iranian fuel depots and threatening the power grid, prompting Red Crescent warnings of toxic acid rain. The UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain intercepted Iranian attacks. Both the UAE and Kuwait reduced oil production as the Strait of Hormuz faced near-closure, threatening global energy supplies. President Trump indicated potential U.S. escalation. Iranian leadership claimed capacity to sustain warfare for months while issuing conditional statements about future attacks, creating significant regional instability and market disruption.

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