--- title: Iran Names New Supreme Leader description: Iran names Mojtaba Khamenei supreme leader as desalination plants are targeted and U.S. evacuates staff from Saudi Arabia amid escalating Gulf tensions. image: https://www.globalguardian.com/hubfs/GG_Intel_Report_%E2%80%93_MiddleEast_GG_Feature_copy_7.png --- [+1 (703) 566-9463](tel:+17035669463) | [Emergency Support](https://www.globalguardian.com//emergency-support) [![GG Logo Main White](https://www.globalguardian.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GlobalGuardian_Oct2019/Logos/GG%20Logo%20Main%20White.png?width=208&height=45&name=GG%20Logo%20Main%20White.png "GG Logo Main White")](https://globalguardian.com) - [Corporate ](https://www.globalguardian.com/corporate-solutions) - [Personal ](https://www.globalguardian.com/personal-solutions) - [Government](https://www.globalguardian.com/government-solutions) - [Outcomes](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies) - [ Travel Security ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Traveler%20Security) - [ Executive Protection ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Executive%20Protection%20and%20Transportation) - [ Emergency Response ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Emergency%20Response) - [ Medical Assistance ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Medical%20Assistance) - [ Event Security ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Event%20Security) - [ Video Surveillance ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Asset%20Security) - Learn - [ Global Digest ](https://www.globalguardian.com/global-digest) - [ Newsroom ](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom) - [ Webinars ](https://www.globalguardian.com/media-room#t4) - [ Global Guardian Academy ](https://academy.globalguardian.com/) - [ FAQ ](https://www.globalguardian.com/faq) - Company - [ About Global Guardian ](https://www.globalguardian.com/about-global-guardian) - [ Executive Leadership ](https://www.globalguardian.com/executive-leadership) - [ Menu of Services ](https://www.globalguardian.com/service-menu) - [ Global Coverage ](https://www.globalguardian.com/global-coverage) - [ Contact Us ](https://www.globalguardian.com/contact) - [ Careers ](https://www.globalguardian.com/careers) [![Request Security](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2233164/aecafd49-7abe-4a80-95c2-e37dbbacda44.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2233164/aecafd49-7abe-4a80-95c2-e37dbbacda44) # Iran Names New Supreme Leader March 9, 2026 | [Security Alerts](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom/topic/security-alerts) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Firan-names-new-supreme-leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Firan-names-new-supreme-leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Firan-names-new-supreme-leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Firan-names-new-supreme-leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Iran%20Names%20New%20Supreme%20Leader) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Firan-names-new-supreme-leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Firan-names-new-supreme-leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Firan-names-new-supreme-leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) Iran named **Mojtaba Khamenei **as supreme leader on 08 March after the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, at the start of the conflict. Mojtaba is seen as a **hardliner **who is unlikely to negotiate with the U.S. He had previously served in Iran's armed forces and fought in the Iran–Iraq war. Israel's defense minister said last week that whoever was chosen as Ali Khamenei's successor would be "**an unequivocal target for elimination**." U.S. President Donald Trump said that anyone selected to lead Iran without their approval would "**not last long**." In an apparent **escalation of targets**, **Iran accused **the U.S. of striking Iran's freshwater **desalination **plant on **Qeshm Island **in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, 07 March. Iran **retaliated **in kind by causing "**material damage**" to one of **Bahrain's desalination **plants the following day. Targeting of such critical infrastructure could endanger every resident in impacted areas and increases the chance of Gulf states officially entering the conflict against Iran. On 08 March, the **U.S. State Department ordered the evacuation **of non-emergency personnel and family from **Saudi Arabia**, indicating it anticipates further targeting. It also **ordered the departure **of non-emergency staff and family from the U.S. Consulate in **Adana**, **Turkey**, and urged citizens in **southeastern Turkey** to leave amid increased threat from Iran. **Incirlik Air Base **is near Adana and is a major joint U.S.–Turkish base. This comes after **Turkey **announced it would deploy six** F-16 fighter jets** and air defense systems to **Turkish-administered **Northern **Cyprus**. **Conflicting **statements and **denials of attacks **out of Iran indicate their Command and Control (**C2**) structure remains **disrupted**, with IRGC commanders and missile and drone outposts operating off a pre-determined targeting program, and not with direct approval from current leadership. ## Situation Report - Iran has **continued **to **target **the **Gulf states **with **drone **and **missile **attacks. Focus remains on oil & gas and commercial infrastructure. While air defense systems have largely been successful, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), both debris from interceptions and the rare drone strike have caused damage, mostly fires. Targets and impacted sites have included **Dubai International Airport**, **Kuwait International Airport,** **Bahrain's Bapco **and** Al Ma'ameer** oil facilities, **UAE's Fujairah Oil Industry Zone**, **Kuwait's Shuwaikh Power **and **Water Distillation Station**, and military bases in the region. - Iran has **increased **its attacks using **drones **as missile stockpiles and launcher capabilities remain degraded. Daily missile attacks remain low while drone attacks have ticked up over the last four days. - The U.S. is reportedly "**dismayed**" with Israel after it targeted** 30 oil depots** in Tehran over the weekend, allegedly used by the **IRGC **to fuel their operations. "The president doesn't like the attack. He wants to save the oil. He doesn't want to burn it. And it reminds people of higher gas prices," a **Trump adviser **told Axios news. This is the first publicly known "spat" between the U.S. and Israel so far in the campaign against Iran. - **Iran **has stated that if **Israel **continues to target their **energy **infrastructure, Iran will go after GCC energy infrastructure. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesman for Iran's central military command, told state TV, "...similar measures will be taken in the region, and if you can tolerate oil at more than **$200 per barrel**, **continue this game**." - During the early morning hours on 08 March, Norwegian authorities announced an **IED **targeted the **U.S. Embassy in Oslo**, causing minor damage but no injuries. The investigation is ongoing. - On 06 March, **Azerbaijan's **State Security Service said it **foiled **a series of “**terrorist**” and intelligence operations it attributes to **Iran’s IRGC**/**SEPAH**, targeting four main sites: the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Israeli embassy in Baku, an Ashkenazi synagogue, and a leader of the local Jewish community. Azerbaijan **withdrew **its diplomats from Tehran in response. - U.S. President Trump **reversed **course on the **Kurdish **militias, saying on 06 March that he **does not** want them to fight in Iran. ## Airspace Status - **Bahrain**: airspace closed - **Egypt**: airspace open - **Iran**: airspace closed - **Iraq**: airspace closed - **Israel**: airspace partially open/restricted - **Jordan**: airspace open - **Kuwait**: airspace closed - **Lebanon**: airspace partially open/restricted - **Oman**: airspace open - **Qatar**: airspace partially open/restricted - **Saudi Arabia**: airspace open - **Syria**: airspace effectively closed - **UAE**: airspace partially open - **Cyprus**: airspace open ## STANDING BY TO Support Global Guardian is closely monitoring the situation and can support clients who need assistance with the following: - Evacuation planning and execution - Executive protection - Secure transportation - Emergency response - Intelligence reports - Risk assessments Click below to contact Global Guardian's 24/7 Operations Center or call us directly at +1 (703) 566-9463. 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