Iran Names Khamenei’s Son, Mojtaba as New Supreme Leader

Iran’s powerful Assembly of Experts has named Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, marking a dramatic political transition following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei.

State media reported on Sunday that the 56-year-old cleric emerged as the choice of the influential body of clerics responsible for appointing the Islamic Republic’s highest authority.

The decision came a week after Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, a development that triggered intense speculation about who would succeed the long-serving Iranian leader.

The Assembly of Experts, which oversees the selection of the country’s supreme leader, confirmed that the decision followed an internal vote.

Ahead of the formal announcement, Hosseinali Eshkevari hinted that a successor had already been agreed upon.

“The name of Khamenei will continue,” Eshkevari said in a video published by Iranian media.

“The vote has been cast and will be announced soon.”

Under Iran’s political system, the supreme leader holds ultimate authority over state affairs, wielding powers that surpass those of the elected president.

Mojtaba Khamenei had long been considered a possible heir to the position, largely due to his close ties with his late father and influence within clerical and political circles, although he had never publicly addressed speculation about the role.

His elevation has already sparked debate about the prospect of dynastic leadership in the Islamic Republic, drawing comparisons with the monarchy that ruled Iran before the Iranian Revolution.

The development also comes amid renewed political maneuvering among opposition figures.

On Friday, exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi said he had accepted the “call” to become Iran’s next leader. Pahlavi is the son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the monarch overthrown during the 1979 revolution.

In Washington, the White House has yet to officially respond to the announcement.

Earlier, however, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran’s next supreme leader “is not going to last long” without American approval.

Trump has repeatedly suggested that the United States should be consulted before Iran decides on its leadership a proposal Tehran has rejected.

In its statement confirming the decision, the Assembly of Experts said Mojtaba Khamenei was selected following a “decisive vote.”

The clerical body also urged the Iranian public, “especially the elites and intellectuals of the seminaries and universities”, to maintain unity and support the new leader.