Mojtaba Khamenei named Iran’s new Supreme Leader

Mojtaba Khamenei has been named Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as the country's new Supreme Leader, following the death of his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a recent attack, according to state media.

The announcement was made early Monday (Bangladesh time), with authorities saying the decision was taken by the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible for appointing the country’s supreme leader.

The council, composed of 88 Islamic scholars, selected Mojtaba Khamenei through a vote during its latest meeting and called on the public to support the new leader.

Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed on February 28 in a joint strike by the United States and Israel that also claimed the lives of several senior Iranian military officials.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has never held a formal government position or contested an election. However, analysts say he wielded considerable influence behind the scenes during his father’s tenure and maintained close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

US President Donald Trump earlier said Washington would not consider Mojtaba Khamenei an acceptable choice for the position and suggested the United States should be involved in the leadership selection process. Iran’s clerical leadership, however, proceeded with the appointment.

Following the Iranian Revolution, Iran’s first supreme leader was Ruhollah Khomeini. After his death, Ali Khamenei assumed the role, and Mojtaba Khamenei now becomes the country’s third supreme leader.