Date: March 8, 2026 l Reporter: Mensah
Iran has reportedly launched its first wave of missiles toward Israel following the appointment of the country’s new supreme leader, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict.
According to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, the missiles were fired shortly after Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei was officially selected as the new supreme leader of the Islamic Republic. The appointment came days after the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed during earlier strikes that intensified the regional war.
Iranian state media said the missile launch was carried out under the authority of the newly appointed leader, describing it as the first wave of attacks directed at Israel under his leadership. Images circulated by Iranian media showed missiles bearing the slogan “At Your Command, Sayyid Mojtaba.”
The Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body responsible for selecting Iran’s supreme leader, confirmed Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as the third supreme leader since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Officials said the decision was made quickly despite the ongoing war and intense international pressure.
Following the announcement, Iran reportedly launched waves of missiles and drones not only toward Israel but also toward several Gulf countries, increasing fears that the conflict could widen across the region. Explosions were reported in Qatar, while Saudi Arabia said its air-defense systems intercepted several ballistic missiles and drones entering its airspace.
Military analysts believe Mojtaba Khamenei is closely aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and is expected to continue the hard-line policies of his father. The IRGC quickly pledged loyalty to the new leader and vowed full obedience to his directives.
The development comes as tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States continue to escalate, raising fears of a wider regional war that could destabilize the Middle East and disrupt global energy markets.
Security experts warn that the appointment of a new hard-line leader combined with renewed missile attacks could further intensify the conflict in the coming days.