Early Bird: The son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the successor of Iran's spiritual leader. According to Zelensky, the world's attention has shifted to the Middle East.
The Iranian Assembly of Experts has appointed the son of the slain leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the successor to Iran's Supreme Leader. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that if a peace agreement or ceasefire is not negotiated at the beginning of the war in Iran, there is a risk that the conflict will be prolonged.
Iranian Assembly of Experts Appoints Successor to Spiritual Leader Khamenei
The Iranian Assembly of Experts has appointed a successor to Iran's supreme spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 in the early hours of the US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. The successor is Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the deceased leader. US President Donald Trump already stated last week that the appointment of Khamenei as the new ruler of Iran would be “unacceptable,” according to a report by CNN. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has warned that any successor to Khamenei, as well as those who wish to appoint him, will become their target.
Zelensky: A prolonged conflict in the Middle East could affect support for Ukraine
A prolonged conflict in the Middle East could lead to a decrease in support for Ukraine in the war with Russia, warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today. According to him, Russia is helping the Iranian regime, but he called it good news that Moscow apparently is not able to provide Tehran with missiles and some other weapons it uses in attacks on Ukraine. The Ukrainian president also pointed out that if a peace agreement or ceasefire is not negotiated at the beginning of the war, there is a risk that the conflict will be extended, reported the server Ceskenoviny.cz.
Pavel Warned About Losing Trust Among Allies Due to Defense Spending
President Petr Pavel warned today about losing trust among allies in connection with lower defense spending, reported the server Ceskenoviny.cz. In a summary interview with Czech Television marking three years in the presidential office, he stated that one cannot benefit from security at the expense of others. He was referring to the fact that according to the proposal of the current government, defense should manage a budget of 154.79 billion crowns this year, which corresponds to just under 1.8 percent of the gross domestic product, thereby not meeting the NATO minimum, which stands at two percent of GDP.
“We cannot profit from security at the expense of others, we cannot behave as if we are the only ones with economic or social problems,”
the president warned.
Norwegian Police Investigate Explosion Outside US Embassy in Oslo
Norwegian police are investigating an explosion that occurred on Sunday outside the US Embassy in Oslo. No injuries have been reported so far. Police received reports of a “loud bang” around 1 AM. The explosion was likely caused by some type of incendiary device, said Frode Larsen, head of the joint investigation and intelligence unit of the Oslo police. Investigators believe the embassy was the target. They are currently searching for the perpetrators and their motive, wrote the agency AP.
Oil Prices Surge, but Trump Downplays It
Oil prices have surged since the start of the US and Israel's war against Iran. However, American President Donald Trump downplayed the idea over the weekend that his country might use strategic oil reserves because of this. As the war in the Middle East, including areas critical for oil and gas production and movement, continues to escalate, it burdens the energy sector worldwide. In the US, consumers are already facing higher gas prices, reported the agency AP.
Sources: AP, CNN, Ceskenoviny.cz
