Iran's supreme leader issues his first statement as war with U.S. and Israel rages

"Iran's state media issued what it said was a statement by Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran entered its 13th day. It was believed to be the new leader's first statement since he succeeded his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli strike on the first day of the war."

"Two oil tankers were hit in Iraqi territorial waters near the southern port area of Basra, Iraqi officials said Thursday—the first oil-related strike reported in Iraq's waters during the war, another sign of the war's escalation. Iran, a critical ally of Iraq, took responsibility for attacking one of the tankers, which it said was owned by the U.S."

"The U.S. confirmed it will release 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as part of a coordinated International Energy Agency (IEA) release of 400 million barrels from emergency stockpiles. The IEA's executive director, Fatih Birol, said the goal is to keep the supply of oil flowing as the conflict disrupts shipping routes and energy infrastructure."

The U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has intensified into its 13th day, marked by the succession of Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader following his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death in an Israeli strike. Iran has escalated military operations, attacking oil tankers in Iraqi waters near Basra and targeting energy infrastructure. In response to disruptions in shipping routes and energy supplies, the U.S. and International Energy Agency announced a coordinated release of 400 million barrels of oil from emergency stockpiles, with the U.S. contributing 172 million barrels over approximately four months. Iran has warned that oil prices could double as the conflict continues to expand across the Gulf region.

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