Iran’s Assembly of Experts has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader to succeed his father, Ali Khamenei, state-linked media reported late Sunday.
The 88-member Assembly of Experts announced by a large majority of votes that Mojtaba Khamenei would become the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, according to the Tasnim news agency. The appointment follows Iran’s confirmation last Sunday that Ali Khamenei was assassinated during attacks carried out by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28, a development previously announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Western reports describe Mojtaba Khamenei as an ultra-conservative cleric who shares his father’s ideological stance. His elevation to the role of Supreme Leader places him at the centre of Iran’s complex power-sharing system, granting him the final authority on all state affairs.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday characterised the prospect of Mojtaba Khamenei’s succession as an “unacceptable” outcome and stated that Washington intended to influence the transition.
“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me; we want someone who brings harmony and peace to Iran,” Trump told the news website Axios. In a separate telephone interview with Reuters, Trump said, “The United States will play a role in choosing the next Iranian leader.”
Trump added that he refused to accept a new Iranian leader who would continue the policies of the previous administration, suggesting such a path would force the United States “to return to war within five years.” These statements represent an unprecedented claim of American influence over Iran’s domestic political future, heightening uncertainty following the massive U.S. military campaign launched on Saturday.
Within the Iranian system, the Supreme Leader serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC, which was designated a terrorist organisation by the United States in 2019, oversees the “Axis of Resistance,” a regional network of armed groups and allies aimed at countering U.S. and Israeli interests. The group also maintains significant economic influence and extensive investment portfolios within Iran.
Prior to the official announcement, figures within the Iranian establishment had long considered Mojtaba Khamenei a prominent candidate to succeed his father.
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