Iran appointed cleric Mojtaba Khamenei as its new Supreme Leader, succeeding his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US‑Israeli strikes late last month, even as the West Asia war entered its tenth day on Monday amid a massive surge in global oil prices and fears of one of the worst energy supply disruptions in decades.Brent crude spiked past $119 a barrel, its highest level since mid‑2022, after markets braced for prolonged instability triggered by the escalating conflict.The appointment, announced after a meeting of Iran’s clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, marks the first dynastic transfer of power in the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution. It also underscores that hardline factions remain firmly in control at a moment of intense regional turmoil.Iranian institutions, military commanders and political leaders quickly pledged allegiance to the new leader, while Tehran’s regional allies also voiced support. Lebanon-based Hezbollah publicly congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei and renewed its allegiance to Iran’s leadership.The leadership transition comes as hostilities between Iran and the US‑Israel alliance intensified over the past 24 hours. Iranian missiles and drones struck multiple targets across the region, with explosions reported in Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, and air‑raid sirens sounding in several Gulf capitals.Iran also continued attacks on Gulf states hosting American military facilities. Drone and missile strikes targeted energy infrastructure in the region, including facilities in Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia issued warnings after a suspected strike near a major oil field.Israel, meanwhile, carried out fresh air strikes on Iranian missile sites and command centres, as well as positions linked to Hezbollah in Beirut.The deepening conflict is now feeding directly into global economic anxiety. Oil prices surged to more than $119 a barrel on Monday amid fears that the war could disrupt supplies from the Gulf for an extended period. In a volatile trading session, Brent briefly climbed to $119.50 a barrel, its biggest-ever absolute price jump in a single day.Since the February 28 strikes that killed Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, Brent has surged as much as 66 per cent, reflecting market concerns over supply cuts, shipping disruptions and the possibility of a wider regional war.Geopolitical alignments also hardened over the past day. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Moscow’s “unwavering support” for the new Iranian leader, signalling continued strategic backing for Tehran despite mounting international pressure. In Washington, US President Donald Trump criticised Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment and indicated that any decision to end the war would be taken in coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Amid the worsening situation, the Indian Embassy in Tehran issued an advisory urging Indian nationals to exercise caution in planning any movement outside Iran. It warned citizens not to approach land borders without prior clearance and noted that the mission might not be able to assist individuals once they exit Iranian territory but are unable to enter a third country.The war began on February 28 after coordinated US‑Israeli strikes targeted Iranian military and leadership sites, killing the Supreme Leader and triggering sweeping retaliatory attacks by Iran and its regional allies. With missile exchanges continuing across multiple fronts and diplomatic tempers rising, experts warn that the conflict could further widen across West Asia unless urgent de‑escalation efforts take hold.