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Monday, March 9, 2026
6 minutes ago
Corruption

Ticketmaster Gets DOJ Slap on Wrist in Yet ANOTHER Antitrust Debacle.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, reached a settlement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) over antitrust charges.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Live Nation, Ticketmaster, the DOJ, and 40 U.S. states.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The settlement was announced on Monday, March 9, 2026, following an antitrust trial in New York.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This case is about power, the power of a monopolist to control competition” — David Dahlquist

🎯IMPACT: Live Nation will pay $280 million in civil penalties, sell some amphitheaters, and open Ticketmaster’s technology to competitors.

IN FULL

Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation, has predictably reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in what was originally considered to be a possible landmark antitrust case. The settlement includes a $280 million civil penalty to be paid to 40 states and requires Live Nation to sell some of its amphitheaters. In addition, Ticketmaster will be required to open its technology to allow competing companies to access its resale platform.

However, the settlement does little to address Live Nation’s actual monopoly over ticket sales, as the company controls 86 percent of ticketing for major concert venues and about 78 percent of amphitheater ticketing. Still, the DOJ is portraying the settlement as a victory, with David Dahlquist, the Acting Deputy Director of Civil Litigation for the Antitrust Division, characterizing the case during opening arguments earlier this month, stating, “This case is about power, the power of a monopolist to control competition.”

The settlement, which was predicted by numerous antitrust experts critical of the ouster of the DOJ’s former antitrust chief, Gail Slater, appears to be a victory for lobbyist and attorney Mike Davis. Numerous sources close to the DOJ’s Antitrust Division and lobbying operations in Washington, D.C., who spoke with The National Pulse, claim Davis oversaw a public relations campaign targeting Slater on behalf of alleged clients, including Compass, Hewlett-Packard (HP), and Live Nation.

Davis is now likely to be the subject of a House Judiciary Committee inquiry into Slater’s ouster. The inquiry is likely to focus on Davis and his efforts to influence the DOJ, especially the Antitrust Division. Following Slater’s resignation, Davis took to social media, taking credit for her ouster—writing in one post, “Good riddance.”

Federal prosecutors and dozens of states filed a lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster in 2024, alleging antitrust violations. The DOJ accused the company of stifling competition, resulting in higher ticket prices for music fans and fewer options for concert venues.

Image by Warren LeMay.

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40 minutes ago
William Upton
War

Trump: ‘I Think the War is Very Complete.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump said on Monday that the U.S. military operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran is “very far” ahead of schedule and likely near completion.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, the U.S. military, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Monday, March 9, 2026

💬KEY QUOTE: “I think the war is very complete, pretty much. They have no navy, no communications, they’ve got no air force.” — Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: Earlier on Monday, President Trump dismissed rumors of an impending ground invasion of Iran, stating, “We haven’t made any decision on that. We’re nowhere near it.”

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump said on Monday that the U.S. military operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran is “very far” ahead of schedule and likely near completion. “I think the war is very complete, pretty much. They have no navy, no communications, they’ve got no air force,” Trump said in a phone interview with CBS.

The President indicated that the success of joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes have placed the military action ahead of his initial timeline of four to five weeks for combat operations. Earlier on Monday, President Trump dismissed rumors of an impending ground invasion of Iran, stating, “We haven’t made any decision on that. We’re nowhere near it.”

Last week, The National Pulse reported that Trump announced the United States would only accept “unconditional surrender” from the Islamic Republic of Iran, stating that there will be “no deal” to end the conflict with the Islamist regime on any other grounds. He reiterated this stance again on Monday, stating he had no intention to talk with Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s deceased dictator, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: “I have no message for him. None, whatsoever.”

Since the start of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, U.S. and Israeli forces have engaged in a sustained bombardment of Iranian political and military targets, effectively decapitating the Islamist regime’s top leadership and crippling its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), navy, air force, and ballistic missile capabilities. Still, the threat of Iranian drone attacks has effectively resulted in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—though President Trump suggested the U.S. Navy may move to secure the vital waterway.

“They’ve shot everything they have to shoot, and they better not try anything cute or it’s going to be the end of that country,” Trump warned.

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1 hour ago
Politics

This Congressman Just Quit the GOP, Here’s What That Means for the House Majority.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-CA) has announced he is leaving the Republican Party to become an independent.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Kevin Kiley, Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA), and the GOP House caucus.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced Monday, with changes effective immediately, impacting California’s 6th Congressional District.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Today, I’m asking the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives to have that reflected in the official roster.” – Kevin Kiley

🎯IMPACT: Kiley will still caucus with the GOP, leaving the slim House majority unchanged for now.

IN FULL

Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-CA) has announced he is leaving the Republican Party and will run for re-election as an independent. The announcement was made on Monday, with Kiley requesting the change be reflected in the official roster of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Today, I’m asking the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives to have that reflected in the official roster,” Kiley stated. Importantly, the California lawmaker clarified that he will continue to caucus with the GOP, ensuring the slim Republican majority in the House remains unaffected for now. The move comes as Kiley prepares to run for reelection under a “No Party Preference” designation in what will be a Democrat-leaning seat after California state Democrat lawmakers redraw congressional lines.

Kiley criticized gerrymandering, calling it “a plague on democracy, one that Gavin Newsom has brought back to California.” Notably, Kiley’s district will be split into six different parts under the new Democrat-drawn map.

The Republican congressman will now run in California’s 6th Congressional District, a Democrat-leaning area, as he continues his campaign for reelection.

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2 hours ago
Election Integrity

FBI Confiscates Arizona Voting Records as Election Fraud Investigation Expands.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has expanded its criminal investigation into suspected election fraud, issuing a grand jury subpoena to obtain voting records from Maricopa County, Arizona.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The FBI, election observers from both parties, Maricopa County officials, and House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Recent developments in Maricopa County, Arizona, following earlier FBI actions in Fulton County, Georgia.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’re digging back through those reports that were submitted by our election observers that were deployed across the country.” – Bryan Steil

🎯IMPACT: The investigation could expand to other states and may uncover further violations of federal election law.

IN FULL

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) probe into alleged election fraud has expanded to Arizona, where agents recently confiscated a substantial amount of electronic election data from Maricopa County through a federal grand jury subpoena. The move follows an earlier raid by federal authorities on a warehouse in Fulton County, Georgia, where ballots tied to the 2020 election were reportedly seized.

Sources say investigators were alerted after election observers submitted a bipartisan report describing irregularities during the 2024 election cycle at a Maricopa County warehouse. The report allegedly included photographs of ballots and the facility, which observers said stored ballots from multiple states.

House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI) confirmed that lawmakers are reviewing election observer reports submitted from across the country. “We’re digging back through those reports that were submitted by our election observers that were deployed across the country,” Steil said.

The FBI’s operation in Fulton County reportedly uncovered confirmed irregularities. In a sworn affidavit, Special Agent Hugh Raymond Evans wrote that some allegations were substantiated, including admissions from Fulton County officials. Investigators are now examining whether the incidents constitute intentional violations of federal election law.

Maricopa County, Arizona’s largest county and one of the most closely watched election jurisdictions in the United States, has faced ongoing scrutiny over its election administration. A 2020 audit identified multiple concerns, including an estimate that over 200,000 ballots with mismatched signatures may have been counted without full verification.

Additional controversies have surfaced in recent years. In 2024, a temporary election worker allegedly stole a security fob and keys used to access election equipment at the county’s tabulation center.

The county has also faced legal challenges over election procedures. Lawsuits have accused Maricopa officials of failing to follow certain state election laws related to voter roll maintenance and election administration.

Questions surrounding voter registration have also fueled debate. Reports indicated that tens of thousands of Arizona voters, many in Maricopa County, were listed without documented proof of citizenship due to record-keeping issues, raising concerns among critics about voter verification processes.

Image by Neon Tommy.

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3 hours ago
Bonkers Britain
Immigration

British Flags Branded ‘Tools of Hate’ in Government Report.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A leaked draft of the British government’s social cohesion policy suggests the British, English, and Scottish flags can be “tools of hate.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The British government, led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party, British patriots, and ethnic minorities offended by Britain’s national flags.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Leaked draft reported March 2026, in the United Kingdom.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Absurdly, this says our national flag is a tool of hate used to intimidate. The whole paper is a divisive nonsense that should be consigned to the bin.” – Richard Tice MP, Deputy Leader of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party

🎯IMPACT: Proposals could inflame debates over free speech, identity politics, and national pride.

IN FULL

A leaked draft of the British government’s upcoming social cohesion strategy suggests that the country’s national flags, including the British, English, and Scottish flags, can be “tools of hate.” The 47-page document, titled Protecting What Matters, claims that during protests against migrant crime last summer, some national symbols were used to “exclude or intimidate,” adding that the “extreme right has tried to turn symbols of pride into tools of hate.”

Recent grassroots campaigns against mass migration and migrant crime have encouraged public displays of British flags. One initiative, Operation Raise the Colours, organized supporters online to hang British Union flags and English St. George’s Cross flags across the country as an expression of patriotism. In some areas, however, local authorities removed the flags, supposedly because they had been attached to public infrastructure without permission. Officials in the London borough of Tower Hamlets, for instance, took down English flags installed as part of the campaign, despite having previously left Palestinian flags in place.

Separately, as former Premier League soccer player Joey Barton was convicted over allegedly offensive social media posts directed at BBC presenters, a judge criticized him for wearing a scarf featuring the British flag, describing it as an attempt to make a political point.

Richard Tice MP, Deputy Leader of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party, strongly criticized the government’s draft strategy, saying: “Absurdly, this says our national flag is a tool of hate used to intimidate. The whole paper is a divisive nonsense that should be consigned to the bin.”

The draft strategy also proposes appointing a “special representative” to address “hostility” toward Muslims and introducing a new definition of Islamophobia. Critics warn such measures could act as a de facto “blasphemy” law that further restricts free speech.

Image by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street.

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3 hours ago
NatSec
War

FBI Investigating ISIS-Style IED Attack on Anti-Mamdani Protest.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched a formal terrorism investigation after improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were thrown at people protesting New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at his official residence.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Two men from Pennsylvania, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, were arrested for throwing IEDs, while four others faced charges including pepper spray use and disorderly conduct. Mayor Mamdani and his wife were present inside their residence.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred on Saturday outside Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence in New York City.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Violence at a protest is never acceptable. The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.” – Mayor Zohran Mamdani

🎯IMPACT: The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has launched an investigation, with search warrants expected in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Authorities are also probing potential extremist influences and overseas travel of the suspects.

IN FULL

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched a formal terrorism investigation after improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were ignited outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani‘s residence and thrown at right-wing demonstrators during a protest on Saturday. Two men from Pennsylvania, Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, were arrested for their alleged involvement in throwing the explosive devices. Four others were also arrested on charges including pepper spray use and disorderly conduct.

The attack occurred during a counter-protest to an anti-Islam demonstration organized by individuals associated with Jake Lang, a pardoned January 6 protester. According to law enforcement sources, the IEDs were constructed with volatile materials, including triacetone triperoxide (TATP), and were designed to cause harm. The devices were reportedly made using sports drink bottles, glass jars, nuts, bolts, and M80-type fireworks.

“These were not hoax devices, nor smoke bombs, they were improvised explosive devices that could have caused serious injury or death,” said New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Monday, confirming that the attack was “being investigated as an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism.”

Videos from the scene show Balat allegedly throwing one of the devices while shouting “Allahu Akbar” before retrieving a second device from Kayumi. The first device extinguished itself after hitting a barrier, while the second was dropped before it could cause harm. Both suspects are U.S. citizens with documented overseas travel to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan. Authorities are investigating potential extremist influences and their travel history.

A third suspicious device was discovered Sunday in a vehicle near Gracie Mansion, prompting evacuations. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) Bomb Squad safely removed the device for further testing. Mayor Mamdani and his wife were inside their residence at the time of the incident. In a statement, Mamdani condemned the violence: “The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.”

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has taken over the investigation, with search warrants executed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Investigators also state that the suspects were inspired by ISIS messaging and other extremist ideologies.

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4 hours ago
Politics

WATCH: Texas Democrat U.S. Senate Candidate ‘Loves’ Trans Children.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Texas Democrat James Talarico said he loves “trans children.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: James Talarico, the Democrat Texas Senate candidate, and Republican critics, including GOP spokesman Zach Kraft.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Comments made during an August 2023 podcast appearance; Talarico won the Democrat primary in Texas in March 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I love, I’m just saying this because it’s all on my mind, the trans children,” Talarico said.

🎯IMPACT: Talarico’s comments and legislative record have drawn sharp criticism from Republicans, who accuse him of promoting radical transgender ideology.

IN FULL

James Talarico, the Democrat nominee for U.S. Senate in Texas, has come under fire for comments made during an August 2023 podcast appearance where he listed “trans children” as something he loves. The remarks, which resurfaced after he won the Democrat primary for a Texas Senate seat, have reignited scrutiny of his legislative record on transgender issues and support for invasive surgeries. In recent months, a number of professional medical associations have reversed their support for transgender procedures for minors, citing severe long-term complications and irreversibility.

“I love, I’m just saying this because it’s all on my mind, the trans children, who showed up yesterday at the state capitol to advocate for their humanity. They shouldn’t have to, but it was an inspiration to watch,” Talarico said during an A Superbloom podcast episode in August 2023. Notably, Talarico has been a longstanding proponent of transgender ideology and allowing minors access to mutilating transgender surgeries and hormone procedures.


Also in 2023, the Texas state Democrat lawmaker opposed a law that prohibited inflicting such practices on minors. Additionally, during a committee hearing, he controversially claimed, “The one thing I want us to all be aware of is that modern science obviously recognizes that there are many more than two biological sexes… In fact, there are six.”

Talarico has also argued that parents who do not “affirm” their child’s gender identity are abusive, claiming it is a “life and death issue.” He has further attacked Republican-backed legislation, including a 2021 bill that barred males from competing in female sports, and has publicly stated that “God is non-binary.”

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5 hours ago
William Upton
Politics

Pro-Trump Texas Republican Steve Toth Backs Ken Paxton in Senate Runoff.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Texas Republican congressional candidate Steve Toth, who defeated anti-Trump Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) in last week’s Republican primary, announced he is backing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary run-off election.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Steve Toth, Ken Paxton, and John Cornyn.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The endorsement was made on Monday, March 9, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “On a personal level, I know Ken as a selfless servant who has always put Texas before his own personal interests. That is what we desperately need from the people we send to D.C., and it’s why I am endorsing him in his race to be our next United States Senator.” — Steve Toth

🎯IMPACT: Paxton, a staunch supporter of President Donald J. Trump, is facing immense pressure from establishment and anti-Trump Republicans to drop out of the race, as they view Cornyn, who has frequently been at odds with Trump, as more reliable.

IN FULL

Texas Republican congressional candidate Steve Toth, who defeated anti-Trump Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) in last week’s Republican primary, announced he is backing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary run-off election. “During my time in the Texas Legislature, I have come to know Ken Paxton on both a professional and personal level. As our Attorney General, Ken has been a staunch defender of conservative values and constitutional rights,” Toth said in an interview published Monday.

“Ken often served as the last line of defense for Texans during the Biden Administration years, securing major wins for border security, blocking COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and protecting our children. Ken Paxton is battle-tested,” Toth continued, adding: “On a personal level, I know Ken as a selfless servant who has always put Texas before his own personal interests. That is what we desperately need from the people we send to D.C., and it’s why I am endorsing him in his race to be our next United States Senator.”

During the March 3 primary, Toth defeated incumbent Congressman Dan Crenshaw by over 15 points, and, with nearly 100 percent of the vote reporting, captured 55 percent of the electorate. Importantly, Toth’s victory is well past the 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff election.

Meanwhile, Paxton and Cornyn are slated to face off in a runoff on May 26 as neither candidate hit the 50 percent threshold. Paxton, a staunch supporter of President Donald J. Trump, is facing immense pressure from establishment and anti-Trump Republicans to drop out of the race, as they view Cornyn, who has frequently been at odds with Trump, as more favorable.

The National Pulse has reported extensively on the dubious actions and statements of Cornyn’s staff. Over the past weekend, for instance, The National Pulse Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam revealed that in late May 2020, at the beginning of the “mostly peaceful” Black Lives Matter “summer of love” riots, Cornyn’s campaign communications director, Matt Mackowiak, was posting pro-George Floyd messages on his social media accounts. Mackowiak would even pitch a pro-Floyd op-ed to The National Pulse over a year later, in October 2021.

Image by LiwenAristodemos.

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6 hours ago
News
War

The List of Terror Attacks and Plots Since the Iran War Started is Growing:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A series of terror attacks and suspected terror attacks have unfolded worldwide since the launch of Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. and Israeli forces, Iranian-aligned militias and terrorists, and targeted American and Jewish civilians, among others.

📍WHEN & WHERE: February 28, 2026, to March 9, 2026, in locations including the U.S., Pakistan, Norway, Belgium, Azerbaijan, and Iraq.

🎯IMPACT: Intelligence and security agencies have issued heightened alerts, with investigations ongoing into Iran-inspired terror attacks and plots.

IN FULL

Since the launch of Operation Epic Fury by U.S.-Israeli forces on February 28, 2026, there have been a number of terror attacks or suspected terror attacks targeting Americans and Jews, among others, in the U.S., Europe, and bases and government buildings around the world.

1. Austin, Texas Bar Shooting 

Gunman Ndiaga Diagne opened fire outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on Sixth Street in Austin, Texas, killing three civilians and wounding 14 others. Police shot and killed the 53-year-old suspect at the scene. He wore clothing with an Iranian flag design and “Property of Allah” messaging; investigators later found related materials in his home. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is actively treating the case as a possible act of terrorism inspired by the Iran conflict—the clearest suspected lone-wolf incident on U.S. soil to date.

2. Explosion at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway 

A blast struck near the consular entrance around 1 AM, causing minor structural damage but no injuries. Norwegian police are investigating it as a possible deliberate, targeted attack linked to the Iran war, with terrorism not ruled out.

3. NYC: Explosive Devices Thrown Near the Mayor’s Residence

On March 8, 2026, police investigated a suspected terror incident outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who follows the Twelver sect of Shia Islam that counts Iran’s ayatollahs as spiritual leaders. During a clash between a small protest against Islamic extremism and a larger counter-protest, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were thrown into the crowd, appearing to target protest organizer Jake Lang.

The devices were described as jars packed with nuts, bolts, screws, and a fuse, which could have acted as shrapnel bombs if they had detonated. Fortunately, neither device exploded.

4. Explosion Outside a Synagogue in Liège, Belgium 

An early-morning blast damaged a historic synagogue, shattering windows with no injuries reported, in Liège, Belgium. Belgian authorities and the Liège mayor condemned it as a “despicable antisemitic act” and are investigating possible terrorist motives.

5. Assault on the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan 

Hundreds of pro-Iran protesters attempted to storm the U.S. Consulate, breaching the perimeter, smashing windows, and attempting arson. Pakistani security forces and U.S. Marines responded with force, killing 10–22 demonstrators and injuring dozens. Related unrest damaged UN offices in northern Pakistan and contributed to a nationwide protest death toll of around 20–26. Officials view this as direct backlash violence against a U.S. diplomatic target.

6. Foiled IRGC-Linked Terror Plot in Azerbaijan 

Azerbaijani security services dismantled an alleged Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) cell planning attacks on the Israeli Embassy in Baku, an Ashkenazi synagogue, Jewish community leaders, and a major oil pipeline. Explosives were seized and multiple suspects arrested, preventing what officials described as coordinated terrorist operations.

Notably, Azerbaijan, which previously paid tribute to slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has committed to joining the war after being struck by Iranian strikes.

7. Drone and Rocket Attacks by Iranian-Aligned Militias in Iraq

Pro-Iranian militias have conducted numerous attacks on U.S. and coalition targets in Iraq since the conflict began. One militia group claimed 27 separate operations on March 3 alone, involving rockets and suicide drones targeting U.S. facilities, including locations near Erbil International Airport.

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7 hours ago
News
War

Ayatollah Khamenei’s Son Replaces Him as Iran’s Supreme Leader.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Iranian dictator Ali Khamenei, has been named Supreme Leader following his father’s death.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali Khamenei, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, and Israeli officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Monday, March 9, 2026.

🎯IMPACT: The appointment decreases the chances of a quick Iranian surrender.

IN FULL

Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s deceased dictator, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been selected to replace his father as Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. The National Pulse reported last week that Mojtaba Khamenei, despite having no prior government role nor significant position within the Twelver Islam religious sect, was poised to take over from his father, who was killed in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes at the end of February.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has previously called Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment “unacceptable.” Meanwhile, Israel has stated that they would consider anyone elected to replace Ali Khamenei to be a legitimate military target.

According to some sources, Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded at some point during the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, though how serious his injuries are is unknown. The U.S. and Israeli militaries began hitting key political and military targets in Iran on February 28, in Operation Epic Fury. On the first day, it is believed that between 40 and 50 of the Iranian regime’s top military and political leaders were killed, including the former Supreme Leader.

Despite days of bombings that have weakened the regime’s grip on power, Iran has maintained an aggressive stance, launching dozens of drone attacks against Israel and U.S. allies in the region. Mojtaba Khamenei is now the third Supreme Leader of Iran since the country’s 1979 revolution.

Image by Mahmoud Hosseini / Tasnim News Agency.

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