Khamenei's son takes charge as Iran war sends oil price soaringMojtaba Khamenei is regarded as a conservative figure with ties to the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of Iran's military. The war came weeks after Iranian authorities under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei crushed nationwide protests against the government, killing thousands according to rights groups. Oil price spikesAs Iran retaliated against its oil-rich Gulf Arab neighbours, the benchmark price for a barrel of crude soared beyond $100 for the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine four years ago. Trump dismissed the price spike, a politically sensitive issue in the United States, as a "small price to pay" for removing the alleged threat of Iran's nuclear programme. Saudi Arabia said Sunday that two people were killed and 12 wounded as a projectile landed in Al-Kharj province.

Source: Bangkok Post March 09, 2026 15:06 UTC