Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader following the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, according to reports by state media cited by Al Jazeera.
The decision was announced on Sunday by Iran’s powerful clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, which said Mojtaba Khamenei emerged after what it described as a “decisive vote.”
In a statement circulated by state media, the Assembly of Experts urged Iranians to rally behind the new leader and maintain national unity.
The clerical body called on citizens, “especially the elites and intellectuals of the seminaries and universities,” to pledge allegiance to the new leadership and support the stability of the Islamic Republic.
The appointment follows the death of Ali Khamenei, who had served as Iran’s supreme leader since 1989.
Reports indicated that the long-serving leader was killed on February 28 during a joint air operation allegedly carried out by the United States military and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeting leadership sites in Tehran amid escalating tensions in the region.
His death triggered widespread speculation over his successor, with Mojtaba Khamenei widely viewed as a leading contender despite concerns about the emergence of hereditary leadership within Iran’s political structure.
Mojtaba Khamenei, a mid-ranking cleric, has long been regarded as an influential figure within Iran’s political establishment.
He is believed to maintain strong ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), one of the most powerful institutions in the country.
Although he has rarely held formal government positions, analysts say he has wielded considerable influence behind the scenes in Iran’s political and security circles.
Before the announcement, former United States President Donald Trump had reportedly voiced opposition to Mojtaba becoming Iran’s supreme leader.
Trump was said to have described him as a “lightweight” and suggested he should not play a role in shaping the country’s leadership.
Under Iran’s constitution, the Assembly of Experts is responsible for selecting the country’s supreme leader, the highest authority in the Islamic Republic.
The position holds ultimate control over the state’s political direction, the military and the judiciary.