Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader following the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, according to state media reports cited by Al Jazeera.
The decision was announced on Sunday by the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible under Iran’s constitution for selecting the country’s supreme leader.
In a statement circulated by state media, the Assembly said Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen after what it described as a “decisive vote.” It called on citizens to remain united and support the new leader.
The statement urged Iranians, “especially the elites and intellectuals of the seminaries and universities,” to pledge allegiance to the leadership and help preserve national unity.
The appointment comes days after the death of Ali Khamenei, who had served as Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989.
He was reportedly killed on February 28 during a joint military operation by the United States and Israel targeting leadership sites in Tehran amid escalating regional tensions.
His death sparked intense speculation over who would succeed him, with Mojtaba widely seen as one of the leading contenders despite concerns within parts of Iran’s political and religious establishment about the possibility of a hereditary succession.
A mid-ranking cleric, Mojtaba Khamenei is believed to maintain strong ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and has long been regarded as an influential figure behind the scenes in the Islamic Republic’s political structure.
Before the announcement, Donald Trump publicly opposed the prospect of Mojtaba becoming Iran’s leader, reportedly describing him as a “lightweight” and suggesting he should not play a role in determining the country’s leadership.
Under Iran’s constitution, the Assembly of Experts holds the authority to appoint the Supreme Leader, the highest political and religious authority in the country, with ultimate control over state policy, the military and the judiciary.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment marks one of the most significant political transitions in Iran in decades and comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East following the killing of his father.
