The Big Story Big Headlines: Iran's new supreme leader and Carney calls for three federal byelections
Mar 9, 2026
Alex Vatanka, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, provides expert analysis on Iran and regional geopolitics. He unpacks the appointment of the new supreme leader and how hardliners consolidated power. He also discusses regional military escalation, impacts on oil prices, and what limited Canadian involvement might look like.
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Hardliners Consolidate Power In Iran
- Iran's new supreme leader, Mushtaq al-Khamenei, signals hardliners have the upper hand after the Ayatollah's death in U.S.-Israel strikes.
- Alex Vatanka says this strengthens short-term military resolve and a political game plan to continue the fight.
Conflict Drives Oil Spike And Wider Strikes
- Regional conflict pushed oil above $100 a barrel and NATO shot down Iranian missiles over Turkey, raising escalation risks.
- Alex Vatanka notes Israel struck central Iran and Lebanon, showing the conflict's geographic spread.
Canada's Likely Role Is Staff Support Not Combat
- Canada's military role in the region is limited to staff officers who provide command, planning and administrative support.
- Alexander Salt (via interview) explains Canada lacks large deployed forces but does have personnel in places like Qatar.