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Mojtaba Khamenei’s Rise Sparks Market Turmoil as Hardliners Mobilize

People attend a gathering to support Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 9, 2026.  Iran’s hardline factions mounted a powerful show of support for newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei , rallying across Tehran in a display that signaled a tightening of conservative control and diminished hopes for de-escalation in the Middle East.  The demonstrations, marked by mass gatherings and imagery linking Mojtaba to his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, underscored the regime’s consolidation at a moment of heightened regional conflict.  Analysts warn that the hardliners’ unified backing suggests Iran is unlikely to soften its stance amid ongoing tensions with the U.S. and Israel. Global markets reacted sharply. Fears that prolonged instability could further disrupt energy supplies sent oil prices soaring and triggered steep declines in major stock indices. With one of the most significan...

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Russia Awaits Clarity on US-Ukraine Ceasefire Proposal

Russia has expressed caution as it awaits further details on a proposed 30-day ceasefire agreement between the United States and Ukraine. The deal, reached during talks in Saudi Arabia, includes a temporary halt to hostilities along the entire front line, as well as the cessation of missile, drone, and bomb attacks. The agreement also outlines provisions for the release of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children relocated to Russia.

The United States has resumed military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, signaling its commitment to the ceasefire plan. However, the proposal hinges on Russia's acceptance, with U.S. officials emphasizing that Moscow's cooperation is essential for achieving peace.

While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed readiness to support the ceasefire, Russian officials remain skeptical. Concerns have been raised about the lack of guarantees accompanying the proposal, with some viewing it as a potential trap that could weaken Russia's position.

The Kremlin has yet to issue an official response, but the international community watches closely as the possibility of a ceasefire brings a glimmer of hope for an end to the prolonged conflict.

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