In Isfahan, state TV reported the sound of nearby explosions from apparent airstrikes as loyalists gathered in the historic Imam Square, chanting "God is the Greatest" below a stage with portraits of Ali and Mojtaba Khamenei. 2 8 A crowd holding Iranian flags gathers during a demonstration in support of the nomination of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as successor to his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as supreme leader, in Tehran. 3 8 People gather in a rally to support Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the successor to his late father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as supreme leader, in Tehran, Iran. 4 8 People gather in support of Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, in TehranIsrael says its war aim is to overthrow Iran's system of clerical rule. Israel had said it would kill whoever succeeded the elder Khamenei unless Iran ended its hostile policies.

Source: The Telegraph March 09, 2026 18:31 UTC