Iran has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, according to Al Jazeera.
The announcement was made on Sunday by the Assembly of Experts, the powerful clerical body constitutionally mandated to select Iran’s Supreme Leader.
In a statement released through state media, the Assembly said Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen after what it described as a “decisive vote.” The body called on citizens across the country to remain united and rally behind the new leadership.
It also urged Iranians, “especially the elites and intellectuals of the seminaries and universities,” to pledge allegiance to the leadership and help safeguard national unity.
The development comes just 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 carried out by the United States and Israel, which targeted leadership sites in Tehran amid escalating tensions in the region.
His death sparked widespread speculation about who would succeed him, with Mojtaba Khamenei widely regarded as a leading contender despite concerns within sections of Iran’s political and religious establishment over the possibility of a hereditary transfer of power.
A mid-ranking cleric, Mojtaba is believed to maintain strong ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and has long been seen as an influential figure operating behind the scenes in the political structure of the Iran.
Before the official announcement, Donald Trump had publicly opposed the possibility of Mojtaba becoming Iran’s leader, reportedly describing him as a “lightweight” and arguing that 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 country’s highest political and religious authority with ultimate control over state policy, the armed forces, and the judiciary.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment represents one of the most significant political transitions in Iran in decades and comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension in the Middle East following the killing of his father.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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