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Iraq’s head coach, Graham Arnold, has appealed to FIFA to postpone his team’s intercontinental World Cup playoff due to the disruptions caused by the escalating war in Iran. The Iraqi squad faces major challenges ahead of their winner-takes-all match against either Suriname or Bolivia, set for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico. With Iraqi airspace closed until April 1, Arnold’s team — mostly made up of domestic league players cannot fully assemble. Many players are also unable to secure visas for Mexico because of embassy closures, while Arnold himself is stuck in the United Arab Emirates amid the conflict. “Please help us with this game because right now we are struggling to get our players out of Iraq,” Arnold, a former Australian national team coach, told the Australian Associated Press. The turmoil has already forced the cancellation of a planned training camp in Houston. Arnold said relying only on overseas-based players is not a viable solution. “It wouldn’t be our best team, and we need our best squad for the country’s biggest game in 40 years,” he said. Arnold has suggested a strategic delay: let Suriname and Bolivia play their preliminary match this month, but postpone Iraq’s final playoff until a week before the World Cup starts. “This would give us time to prepare properly and allow FIFA to see how the situation with Iran develops,” he said. “If Iran withdraws, we go to the World Cup, and it also gives the UAE, who we beat in qualifying, time to prepare for either Bolivia or Suriname.” Iraq Football Association president Adnan Dirjal is reportedly working tirelessly to make the World Cup dream a reality, and Arnold stressed that a quick decision from FIFA is crucial.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Iran’s late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been chosen as the new supreme leader of Iran amid the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel, according to state media reports. Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the war when attacks targeted his compound in Tehran. The strike also killed Mojtaba’s mother, wife and one of his sisters. The 56-year-old cleric was reportedly not present at the time and survived the bombing. Iran’s Assembly of Experts, the 88-member clerical body responsible for selecting the country’s supreme leader, confirmed his appointment and called for national unity. In a statement carried by state media on Sunday, the assembly said Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen through a “decisive vote”. The body urged Iranians, “especially the elites and intellectuals of the seminaries and universities”, to “pledge allegiance to the leadership and maintain unity”. Although he has never run for public office or faced a nationwide vote, Mojtaba Khamenei has long been considered an influential figure within the inner circle of Iran’s leadership. Over the years he developed strong connections with the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its affiliated paramilitary forces. His rise to the top position suggests that hardline factions within Iran’s political establishment continue to hold significant influence, potentially signalling limited willingness by Tehran to enter negotiations in the near future. For years Mojtaba Khamenei had been mentioned as a likely successor to his father, who served nearly eight years as president and then ruled as supreme leader for more than three decades before his death. However, the new leader has largely kept a low public profile. He rarely gives speeches or public lectures, and many Iranians have never heard his voice despite his long-standing influence within the ruling establishment. His possible succession had long been considered sensitive because it could resemble a hereditary transfer of power similar to the monarchy that ruled Iran before the Iranian Revolution. Allegations over protest crackdowns For nearly two decades, critics inside and outside Iran have linked Mojtaba Khamenei to the suppression of anti-government protests. Reformist figures first accused him of influencing the disputed 2009 presidential election that returned Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power. The election triggered mass demonstrations known as the Green Movement. Opposition groups claimed that the paramilitary Basij force, which operates under the Revolutionary Guard, was used to crack down on protesters. The Basij has since played a central role in suppressing several waves of nationwide demonstrations, including recent protests in which international organisations and the United Nations said thousands of people were killed during security operations earlier this year. Iranian authorities have repeatedly blamed the unrest on “terrorists” and “rioters” allegedly supported by the United States and Israel. Military ties and economic influence Mojtaba Khamenei built close links with the Revolutionary Guard during the 1980s when he served in its Habib Battalion during the Iran–Iraq War. Many of his former comrades later secured influential positions in Iran’s security and intelligence institutions. Western governments have imposed sanctions on him, and media reports have alleged that he controls a large financial network spanning several countries. According to reports cited by Bloomberg, he has been linked to Iranian businessman Ali Ansari, whose Bank Ayandeh collapsed last year after heavy debts and controversial loans to insiders. The bank’s dissolution reportedly worsened Iran’s inflation as some losses were covered using public funds. Neither Khamenei nor Ansari has publicly responded to the allegations. Questions over religious credentials Another issue surrounding Mojtaba Khamenei’s leadership is his clerical rank. He holds the title of hojatoleslam, a mid-ranking position within the Shiite clerical hierarchy, rather than the higher title of ayatollah traditionally associated with the supreme leadership. However, his father was also not an ayatollah when he assumed the role in 1989, and Iran’s laws were later adjusted to accommodate his leadership. A similar arrangement could again be made if needed. With heavy bombing continuing across Iran and authorities imposing widespread internet restrictions, it remains unclear when the government will formally announce the next steps in its leadership transition. With inputs from Al Jazeera

US President Donald Trump said the decision on when to end the war with Iran will be a “mutual” one taken together with Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking in a phone interview, Trump said he and the Israeli prime minister had “been talking,” adding that he would “make a decision at the right time”. When asked whether Israel could continue the war against Iran if the United States decided to stop its strikes, Trump dismissed the scenario, saying: “I don't think its going to be necessary”. Trump also declined to comment on reports that Mojtaba Khamenei had been named the country’s new supreme leader, saying: “We'll see what happens”, according to a report by The Times of Israel. He has previously expressed opposition to Mojtaba’s leadership, saying: “Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me”. Source: BBC

Trump declines to comment on Mojtaba Khamenei appointment; Lindsey Graham criticises move US President Donald Trump has declined to comment on Iran’s reported appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei, saying only “we’ll see what happens” when asked about the development in an interview, according to The Times of Israel. Trump also indicated that any decision regarding ending the conflict with Iran would be taken jointly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I think it’s mutual… a little bit. We’ve been talking. I’ll make a decision at the right time, but everything will be taken into account,” the Israeli news outlet quoted Trump as saying. During the interview, Trump also urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to grant a pardon to Netanyahu, who is currently facing corruption charges. Referring to the Israeli prime minister by his nickname “Bibi,” Trump said Netanyahu should be pardoned immediately so he could focus on the war rather than the ongoing legal case. He criticised Herzog for not granting the pardon. Separately, US Senator Lindsey Graham criticised Iran’s decision to choose Mojtaba Khamenei as successor to his slain father, Ali Khamenei, saying the move does not represent the change the United States wants to see, reports Al Jazeera . Posting on the social platform X, the Republican senator from South Carolina said he believes it is only a matter of time before Mojtaba meets the same fate as his father. Graham has consistently advocated for stronger military action against Iran. A recent report by The Wall Street Journal said he had advised Netanyahu on how to persuade Trump to take action against Tehran.    

At least 6,668 civilian sites have been hit in US-Israeli attacks since the war began on February 28, according to statistics from the Iranian Red Crescent Society cited by the Fars news agency. The report detailed that the strikes damaged 5,535 residential units, 1,041 commercial properties, 14 medical centres, 65 schools, and 13 facilities linked to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, reports Al Jazeera. Several rescue and relief vehicles were also damaged, and multiple Red Crescent personnel were injured while conducting emergency operations, the report added.    

Israel’s public support for its ongoing war against Iran remains strong, but analysts warn that a prolonged conflict could strain the country’s military and economy. Since launching strikes on Iran on Saturday, Israel has faced repeated missile and drone attacks, prompting widespread air raid alerts, school closures, and the mobilisation of tens of thousands of reservists. Cities including Haifa and Tel Aviv have been under sustained attacks, stretching emergency services, reports Al Jazeera. Despite these pressures, many Israelis remain supportive of the war. Interviews show strong public backing, with the majority rallying behind the government, driven by a perception of Iran as a long-standing existential threat. Political economist Shir Hever noted that the current public mood contrasts with the June 2025 12-day war, which was marked more by fear than aggressive militarism. Analysts say ongoing hostilities could further radicalise society, entrenching far-right influence and prompting more young talent to emigrate. From a military perspective, Israel’s ability to sustain high-intensity conflict depends heavily on external support. Defence analyst Hamze Attar said Iran launched more than 200 ballistic missiles in the first three days of fighting, forcing Israel to expend interceptors from the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow systems. Limited stocks mean prolonged conflict could require rationing, focusing defence on key military and political targets and increasing risks to civilians. Iran is reportedly producing around 100 missiles per month, but uncertainty remains over their types, numbers, and launchers. “If you don’t have the launchers, it doesn’t matter how many missiles you have,” Attar said. Economically, two years of near-continuous conflict have drained Israel’s finances. Spending on Gaza and Lebanon in 2024 reached $31 billion, rising to $55 billion in 2025, contributing to a debt crisis and a sovereign credit downgrade. Hever warned of additional pressures on energy, transport, and health services. However, experts argue that technology and US weapons support are likely to allow Israel to continue military operations despite economic strains. Hever said advanced weaponry, which can operate at long distances without putting soldiers at risk, diminishes the economic limits on the country’s military campaigns.

The death toll from five days of US-Israeli attacks on Iran has surpassed 1,000, according to state media reports. The strikes, which targeted multiple sites across the country, have drawn sharp international criticism. An independent UN investigation into human rights violations in Iran strongly condemned the attacks, saying they violate international law. Country by country, here’s how the unfolding war is affecting the Middle East “These attacks … run counter to the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State,” the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran said in a statement. The report called for urgent measures to protect civilians and hold those responsible accountable, while warning that such military actions could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability.

Iran has ruled out negotiations with the United States and warned citizens against any cooperation with Washington or Israel as the conflict intensifies. Mohammad Mokhber, a senior aide to the late supreme leader, said Iran has no intention of engaging in talks with the US and maintains no form of contact with Washington, report Al Jazeera. “We have no trust in the Americans, and we have no basis for any negotiations with them,” Mokhber said on Iranian state television. He added that Tehran is prepared to continue the war “as long as we want.” Mokhber previously served as Iran’s acting president and first vice president. Separately, Iran’s judiciary chief Gholam Hosseini Mohseni Ejehe warned the public against expressing support for the United States or Israel during the ongoing war. “We have announced that those who cooperate with the enemy in any way will be considered an enemy,” Ejehe said in remarks broadcast on state television. He stressed that individuals who “say or do anything in line with the will of America and the Zionist regime” would be treated as siding with the enemy and dealt with under what he described as “revolutionary, Islamic principles” appropriate to wartime conditions. The warnings come after both the US and Israel publicly called on Iranians to rise up against their government. Former US President Donald Trump said the conflict could represent the Iranian people’s “only chance for generations” to overthrow the leadership. Earlier this year, nationwide protests in Iran resulted in thousands of deaths, according to UN officials and international human rights organizations, which documented widespread use of deadly force against demonstrators. The latest statements signal Tehran’s firm stance against external pressure and suggest continued domestic crackdowns as hostilities with the US and Israel persist.

The escalating Middle East conflict is affecting nearly every country in the region, causing casualties, property damage, and major disruptions to airspace, shipping routes, and diplomatic operations. Governments are urging citizens to leave as commercial flights are canceled, Gulf airspace closes, and ports such as the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted. The U.S. has evacuated personnel from six nations, including the UAE, and advised citizens from 14 countries to leave. Iran: The country has suffered the highest casualties, with at least 787 killed, including over 160 in a strike on an elementary school in Minab. U.S.-Israeli operations have targeted nuclear facilities, missile launchers, government buildings in Tehran, and leadership compounds, reportedly killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior military officials. Airspace is closed. Israel and Palestinian Territories: Iranian missile attacks have killed 11 people. The extent of damage to military installations remains undisclosed. Commercial airspace is closed. Lebanon: Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah sites in Beirut following missile and drone attacks. At least 52 people were killed and 154 wounded. The U.S. Embassy has closed temporarily, though flights are partially operational. Saudi Arabia: Iranian drones targeted the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and Ras Tanura oil refinery, causing minor damage. Airspace is partially closed. Kuwait: U.S. Embassy attacks and Iranian strikes killed several personnel, including six U.S. soldiers. Civilian casualties include one dead and 32 injured migrant workers. Airspace is closed. United Arab Emirates: Three foreign workers were killed in strikes. Dubai’s airport and hotels along the coast sustained damage, and Iranian drones hit two Amazon data centers. Airspace is closed. Egypt: Shipping disruptions through the Suez Canal are impacting the economy. Commercial flights operate with some cancellations. Jordan: Intercepted Iranian projectiles injured five people. Airspace is restricted at night. Qatar: Iranian attacks targeted energy facilities. Airspace is closed. Senators to vote on limiting Trump’s military authority after Iran strikes Iraq: U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian proxy sites killed militia members. Drone and missile attacks targeted U.S. bases in Irbil. Oil production at Rumaila fields halted due to shipping disruptions. Airspace is closed. Bahrain: A strike killed one Asian worker and injured two others; drone debris impacted an Amazon data center. Airspace is closed. Syria: Iranian missile debris caused minor injuries in southern provinces. Airspace is closed. Oman: Drone attacks struck major ports at Salalah and Duqm, and at least one vessel was hit offshore. Airspace remains open, though many flights are canceled. The conflict continues to escalate, with civilian casualties mounting and regional economies and travel networks under severe strain.

Following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran has formed a three-member transitional council to manage state affairs. Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, a member of the country’s powerful constitutional watchdog, was appointed on Sunday to the interim council, which also includes President Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei. Under Article 111 of Iran’s constitution, the council will govern until the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member body, selects a new supreme leader. Khamenei’s nearly 37-year rule ended Saturday following a deadly U.S.-Israeli attack, reports Al Jazeera . The constitution mandates that the Assembly of Experts appoint a successor “as soon as possible” while the transitional council oversees the government.