**Livewire** Operation Epic Fury Day Ten
The military operation against Iran entered its tenth day on Monday. Iran’s new supreme leader is settling into office, but he is reportedly already injured.
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**Live updates from Monday below. All updates in Eastern Time**
09:30 a.m.: Hezbollah supports new supreme leader
Iran-backed Islamist terrorist group Hezbollah said Monday it supports Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as its new supreme leader. Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel last week following strikes that killed the former Iranian leader.
“We at Hezbollah extend our warmest congratulations and blessings on this occasion. We renew our commitment of loyalty to this blessed approach and our firmness on the path of allegiance,” they said in a statement reported by Hezbollah. Israel Times.
09:10: Ukraine in demand
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, 11 countries have now contacted kyiv for its expertise in dealing with Iranian drones, which Vladimir Putin’s Russia has used for years in the conflict in Eastern Europe.
Zelensky said this interest in Ukrainian know-how has spread from Iran’s neighboring countries to Europe and the United States.
“There is clear interest in Ukrainian experience in protecting human lives, interceptors, electronic warfare systems and training,” he said.
Zelensky said on Sunday that Ukrainian experts would be deployed to the Middle East this week.
08:45: Second missile shot down towards Turkey
Another attempted Iranian attack on U.S. ally Turkey was foiled Monday after a ballistic missile launched from Iran was intercepted and destroyed by NATO air defense systems as it headed toward Turkish airspace. This is the second time in less than a week that Turkey has been targeted by an Iranian missile.
Ankara said that while promoting “good neighborly relations and regional stability,” it is ready to act “without hesitation” against any threats, affirming that “it is in the interest of all” to heed the warning.
Meanwhile, Turkey on Monday deployed six F-16 fighter jets and air defense systems to northern Cyprus, a de facto state on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus recognized only by Ankara.
08:15: Was the explosion outside the US embassy a terrorist attack?
There was an explosion outside the front gate of the US embassy in Oslo in the early hours of Sunday morning; fortunately, no one was seriously injured. But when this happens, and after Europe’s concern over the possibility of feared Iranian sleeper cells being activated in our cities, the question arises: was this an attempted terrorist attack? The Norwegian authorities certainly think so, as our Kurt Zindulka reports.
TOPSHOT – Security forces fan out to monitor a rally in support of Iran’s new supreme leader in Enghelab Square in central Tehran on March 9, 2026. Iran on Monday marked the nomination of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to replace his father as supreme leader with a new barrage of missiles against Israel and Gulf states, as war in the Middle East sent oil prices soaring. (Photo by Atta KENARE / AFP via Getty Images)
08:00: This is not Iraq
John Spencer, an expert on urban warfare, told Breitbart News that there have been “lazy comparisons” between the Iranian strikes and the Iraq war, and that the opening “decapitation strike” last week was historic. He told our correspondent: “Removing leadership after leadership creates what we call cognitive paralysis.” This is an interesting interview, and you can read more here.
06:30 a.m.: The new supreme leader is already injured
Well, that didn’t take long. Khamenei junior has already been injured. Read our Simon Kent’s full report here.
FILE – Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, center, attends the annual Quds, or Jerusalem Day, gathering in Tehran, Iran, May 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)
06:20: Putin congratulates Mojtaba Khamenei
As we reported yesterday, Iran’s “Assembly of Experts” has chosen the son of former Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to succeed him as supreme leader. Although Iran’s friendship with Russia may not have achieved much last week, President Vladimir Putin was quick to congratulate Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei this morning.
In a statement released by the Kremlin, President Putin said:
Please accept my sincere congratulations… At a time when Iran is facing armed aggression, your tenure in this high position will undoubtedly require great courage and dedication.
I am convinced that you will honorably continue your father’s work… I would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for Tehran and our solidarity with our Iranian friends. Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner of the Islamic Republic.
I wish you success in solving the difficult tasks ahead of you, as well as good health and strength of mind.
AHVAZ DRONE BASE, KHUZESTAN PROVINCE, IRAN — MARCH 08, 2026: 01 — Vantor satellite image shows an overview of the Ahvaz satellite base in Khuzestan province. Please use: Satellite image (c) 2026 Vantor.
For past Livewire updates from Saturday, please click here
