By Parisa Hafezi and Maayan Lubell, Reuters
Photo: ATTA KENARE / AFP
Iran's hardliners staged a show of force on Monday (all times local), taking to the streets to proclaim their loyalty to new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, whose rise appeared to dash hopes of a swift end to war in the Middle East causing havoc on global markets.
The prospect that one of the most severe disruptions ever to hit global energy supplies could last longer than previously expected sent oil prices surging in record leaps and stock markets into a nosedive.
Khamenei, 56, a Shi'ite cleric with a power base among the security forces and their vast business empire, has been declared unacceptable by United States President Donald Trump, who has demanded Iran's unconditional surrender.
Iranian state media showed large crowds in several cities rallying behind the new leader, waving Iranian
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