Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations says the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is safe and currently governing the country.
Ali Bahreini told BBC News that the election of the new Supreme Leader shows the “stability and continuity” of Iran.
Elsewhere, a statement attributed to the new leader included a commitment to continue blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which is one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
In related developments:
- The US military confirms a refuelling aircraft went down over western Iraq, while saying neither hostile or friendly fire were to blame (BBC News)
- At least three more cargo ships have been attacked in the Gulf, apparently by Iran. Iranian state media say Iranian forces were behind at least one strike (BBC News)
- The UN Refugee Agency says 3.2 million people have been displaced inside Iran since Israel and the US launched their attacks on 28 February (BBC News)
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli attacks have killed a top Iranian nuclear scientist and hit several others (AP)
- Damage to historical sites in Iran raises alarm about war’s impact on protected places. At least four of Iran’s nearly 30 historical sites, including palaces and an ancient mosque, have sustained damage from U.S. and Israeli strikes (AP)
- Iraq has shut down oil port operations after deadly attacks on two foreign oil tankers as Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia intercept more Iranian missiles and drones (Al Jazeera)
- UN special rapporteur Ben Saul has said a “new dark age of abuses” has “excused naked aggression and renewed imperialism against Iran and Venezuela, raining death and violating the right to life and making the world less safe” (Al Jazeera)
