JUST IN: Mojtaba Khamenei appointed Iran’s Supreme Leader after father’s death

Iran has officially named Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, following the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, state media reports confirmed. The decision was announced on Sunday by the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body constitutionally responsible for selecting Iran’s highest authority.

In a statement, the Assembly urged Iranians to remain united and pledge allegiance to the new leader, particularly appealing to elites and intellectuals in seminaries and universities to support national cohesion.

Ali Khamenei, who had held the position since 1989, was reportedly killed on February 28 during a joint United States and Israeli airstrike targeting leadership sites in Tehran amid rising regional tensions. His death prompted widespread speculation over his successor, with Mojtaba Khamenei widely regarded as a frontrunner despite debates over hereditary leadership.

Mojtaba, a mid-ranking cleric with longstanding ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has wielded considerable influence behind the scenes in Iran’s political system. His elevation marks a critical political transition in the country amid ongoing instability in the region.

Before the appointment, former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly opposed Mojtaba’s potential leadership, describing him as a “lightweight” and questioning his suitability to play a decisive role in the nation’s governance.

Iran’s constitution grants the Assembly of Experts authority over the selection of the supreme leader, who holds ultimate control over state policy, the military, and the judiciary. The Assembly’s vote on Mojtaba was described as “decisive” by state media.

Observers note that Mojtaba Khamenei’s leadership comes at a sensitive time for Iran, as the country navigates internal political tensions and heightened conflict with international powers in the region.