Apple News Today: Iran Defies Trump and Names a Supreme Leader — Here’s What to Know

Date: March 9, 2026
Host: Cecilia Ley
Summary by: Apple News

Episode Overview

This episode delves into Iran's selection of a new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, following the assassination of his father, Ali Khamenei. Cecilia Ley and a range of expert reporters unravel the geopolitical implications of Mojtaba’s appointment, the latest wave of military strikes across the region, and the resulting shockwaves in global markets. The podcast further covers a deadly strike on an Iranian school, disputes about responsibility, economic fallout from the conflict, and a brief roundup of other major headlines.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Iran’s New Supreme Leader: Mojtaba Khamenei

• Announcement & Context

  • Iran’s clerics named Mojtaba Khamenei the new supreme leader after his father’s assassination last week. The military and parliament quickly pledged their loyalty, emphasizing religious and national duty.
  • “Mojtaba is regarded as a conservative hardliner, a former gatekeeper of his father and close to the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.” — Cecilia Ley [00:32]

• Implications for Iran & the Region

  • Mojtaba is seen as a move for stability within Iran’s elite, but remains an enigmatic figure without a publicly articulated doctrine.
  • “This is a person who's been strengthening his ties with the security apparatus and the high echelon of the IRGC in the past 20 years.” — Kasharia Janadh (BBC Persian) [02:04]
  • The clerics’ decision is interpreted as a message of defiance—towards the US, Israel, and internal reformers.
  • “If they were looking…to end this war and go through diplomacy, they would have elected a more moderate figure.” — Kasharia Janadh [02:20]

• International Response

  • President Trump publicly called Mojtaba’s appointment “unacceptable,” insisting the US should have had input.
  • Israel stated anyone in the Iranian regime is a legitimate target, promising to continue operations against the new leadership.
  • “It really doesn't matter if it is the father or the son…we will continue with our efforts…to make sure that we actually dismantle this threat.” — Danny Danone (Israel's UN Ambassador) [02:56]

2. Intensification of the Iran-Israel Conflict

• Israeli Strikes on Tehran

  • Over the weekend, Israel launched wide-scale attacks targeting government headquarters and oil infrastructure, creating apocalyptic scenes in Tehran.
  • “It’s an absolutely apocalyptic scene here…still on fire, still burning…thick black smoke through the entire city.” — Chris Wright (CNN reporting from Tehran) [03:45]

• Attacks Beyond Iran

  • Bahrain accused Iran of targeting its water desalination plant—a first in the conflict. Iran, in turn, accused the US of precedent-setting strikes on water infrastructure.
  • Growing civilian casualties: Lebanon reports nearly 400 dead; Iran’s UN ambassador reports over 1,300 dead; the US lost a seventh service member [04:13].

• Escalation Under New Leadership

  • Iran launched renewed strikes at US and Israeli targets just hours after Mojtaba’s appointment [04:48].

3. Global Economic Impact

• Oil Spikes & Market Shocks

  • Crude oil surpassed $100/barrel, levels not seen since 2022; the vital Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
  • Key exporters, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, are reducing or halting shipments.
  • “If this conflict does go on longer, the economic implications of a protracted disruption in this region are going to be felt everywhere.” — David J. Lynch (Washington Post) [00:23 & 06:59]

• US Impact & Political Reactions

  • US fuel prices climb; Energy Secretary Chris Wright reassures that high prices will be temporary.
  • “We want it back below $3/gallon and it will be again before too long...this is a week's, this is not a month's thing.” — Chris Wright [05:57]

• Broader Supply Chain Disruptions

  • Europe and Asia hardest hit due to dependency on Hormuz. Shipping and air cargo flows slow further, affecting everything from semiconductors to fast fashion.
  • “We place an order with Amazon or Walmart...and the whole global economy is kinda set up on that basis. At the moment, you’re seeing impacts on both ocean cargo…and air freight.” — David J. Lynch [07:08]
  • Disrupted air freight means many “high-value” products are delayed.
  • US farmers may soon feel the pinch, as fertilizer producers are in the conflict zone and April is peak order time [08:04].
  • “Here in the US…we’re starting to see some raindrops fall, but the tornado hasn’t really hit us yet. If this goes on, it will inevitably…” — David J. Lynch [08:34]

4. The Iranian School Strike: Blame, Evidence, and Outrage [08:51–12:31]

• Incident Summary

  • A deadly strike hits a girls’ school in southern Iran, killing over 170, most of them children. Initial US administration claims suggest Iran is to blame, but no evidence is given.

• Investigation and Media Findings

  • “What we've heard…preliminary findings show it's increasingly likely a US Munition was used in the strikes.” — Jontel Da Silva (NBC News) [09:37]
  • US officials privately briefed Congress the area was a US target; however, the school had been separated from the adjacent IRGC base for years.
  • Human Rights Watch and satellite analysis support the theory that the school was directly struck, possibly due to “target misidentification.”

• Evidence of US Involvement

  • Verified state footage shows a Tomahawk missile (only fielded by the US) hitting the complex; the school is enveloped in smoke prior to the adjacent base being hit.
  • “The pattern of strikes on the compound, including on the school, suggest being directly struck and by highly accurate guided munitions.” — via Jontel Da Silva / Wes Bryant [10:30]

• International Reaction

  • UN High Commissioner Volker Turk calls for a “prompt, transparent, and impartial” investigation, and for accountability and redress for victims.
  • “We need this to happen very quickly and we need to also make sure that there is accountability as well as redress for the victims.” — Volker Turk (via Kasharia Janadh) [11:56]

5. Brief Headlines [12:31–End]

• Severe Tornado Outbreak

  • Multiple states hit; at least eight dead, 90 million affected.
  • “Someone is like, ‘everybody get to the middle of the store under the mezzanine right now,’ and everyone rushes...could see the tornado coming through the paint department. Paint department's gone.” — Isabel Ramsey (Michigan tornado survivor) [13:22–13:40]

• Voice of America Leadership Ruled Illegal

  • Judge rules Carrie Lake’s appointment to lead the agency was invalid, voiding mass layoffs ordered under the Trump administration.

• US Olympic Skater Alyssa Liu’s Hiatus

  • After winning gold, Liu skips world championships to rest; her return to the sport is hailed as remarkable.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Iranian Leadership Succession:

  • “If they were looking…to end this war and go through diplomacy, they would have elected a more moderate figure.” — Kasharia Janadh [02:20]

• On the Israeli Response:

  • “It really doesn't matter if it is the father or the son…we will continue with our efforts…to make sure that we actually dismantle this threat.” — Danny Danone [02:56]

• On the Economic Impact:

  • “Here in the US…we’re starting to see some raindrops fall, but the tornado hasn’t really hit us yet." — David J. Lynch [08:34]

• On the School Strike:

  • “...likely a US Munition was used…the school was at one point part of the compound, but that might have changed over time.” — Jontel Da Silva [09:49–10:00]

• On US Accountability:

  • “We need this to happen very quickly and we need to also make sure that there is accountability as well as redress for the victims.” — Volker Turk (via Kasharia Janadh) [11:56]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:32 — Mojtaba Khamenei named supreme leader of Iran
• 02:04 — Analysis of Mojtaba’s background and implications
• 02:56 — Israeli reaction
• 03:45 — Firsthand report of Israeli airstrikes on Tehran
• 05:57 — Oil prices & Energy Secretary interview
• 07:03 — Global logistics/logistics expert breakdown
• 08:34 — US economic impact, supply chain vulnerability
• 08:51 — Strike on Iranian school: narratives and investigation
• 10:30 — Satellite evidence and Human Rights Watch analysis
• 11:56 — UN reaction, call for accountability
• 12:31 — US tornado outbreak, other headlines

Conclusion

The episode provides a clear-eyed, in-depth overview of Iran’s historic leadership transition and the escalating regional conflict, with balanced coverage on military, diplomatic, humanitarian, and economic fronts. Comprehensive reporting and expert analysis outline the global stakes, while notable voices provide critical insight into uncertainty about the war, its effects, and international responsibility.

For further updates on these stories and more, listen to Apple News every weekday morning or check the Apple News app.