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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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In a significant policy shift, the consumer carbon charge on essentials like gasoline and heating has been eliminated. This move marks a departure from efforts to directly incentivize individual carbon reductions through pricing. Proponents of the change argue that it will ease the financial burden on households, especially during times of economic uncertainty.  

However, critics warn that removing the carbon charge could diminish the focus on greener alternatives and delay the transition to sustainable energy sources. They stress the importance of maintaining long-term environmental goals, even as policymakers address present economic challenges.  

This development reflects the ongoing balancing act between economic relief and environmental responsibility, sparking important conversations about the future of energy policy and climate action.  


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