Mojtaba Khamenei Appointed as Iran's New Supreme Leader
Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been appointed as Iran's new supreme leader following his father's death in US-Israeli strikes on Tehran, marking the first dynastic succession since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
The Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible for selecting Iran's highest authority, announced the decision on Sunday as the war entered its tenth day. Iranian institutions swiftly expressed allegiance, with the defence council stating: "We will obey the commander-in-chief until the last drop of our blood."
The 56-year-old cleric has never held elected office or formally occupied a senior government position. Raised in Mashhad, he studied theology in Qom and reportedly participated in the final stages of the Iran-Iraq war. Over the years, he developed influence within his father's office, cultivating relationships with conservative clerics and Revolutionary Guards elements.
His elevation raises questions about hereditary leadership in a state founded on revolt against monarchy. Critics point to his alleged role supporting the security crackdown following the disputed 2009 elections, which he has never publicly addressed.
The appointment could escalate the conflict, as President Donald Trump had previously indicated Mojtaba Khamenei would be "unacceptable." Asked about the succession, Trump told the Times of Israel: "We'll see what happens," noting that decisions on ending the war would be mutual with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israeli military announced strikes on Monday targeting "regime infrastructure" in central Iran—the first such action since the appointment. Iran and proxies responded with rocket and drone attacks on US facilities in Iraq and Bahrain, where 32 people, including an infant, were wounded.
Yemen's Houthi rebels welcomed the succession. Iranian state media showed a projectile launched at Israel bearing the slogan: "At your command, Sayyid Mojtaba."