Iran Supreme Leader: Mojtaba Khamenei, a son of Iran’s late supreme leader, has been named his successor, as the war that began a little over a week ago with his father’s killing took a dramatic turn.
The younger Khamenei, who had not been seen or heard from publicly since the war started, had long been considered a contender for the post, even before an Israeli strike killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and despite never being elected or appointed to a government position.
Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, posted onn X, “Congratulations on the worthy selection of His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, coinciding with the first blessed night of Qadr…We pledge that, in defense of the rights of the great Iranian nation, the advancement of national interests and security, and the realization of the lofty goals of the Islamic Revolution, we shall not falter for a moment.”
The selection of Khamenei faces the likelihood of US criticism. “Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me,” US President Donald Trump has said. “We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”
Assembly of Experts
The 56-year-old was designated to the country’s highest office by the 88-member Assembly of Experts. The clerical body confirmed he was “appointed and introduced as the third leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, based on the decisive vote of the respected representatives of the Assembly of Experts”.
This transition occurs amidst significant regional volatility, following a military campaign that resulted in the death of the former leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a conversation with The Times of Israel, Trump declined to provide an extensive critique of the selection, despite his previous public assertions that the younger Khamenei was a “lightweight” and an “unacceptable” candidate.
Before the official announcement, Trump had expressed a desire for a role in the succession process. Speaking to ABC News, he suggested that the longevity of any new Iranian leader depended on American recognition, stating: “If he doesn’t get approval from us, he’s not going to last long.”
Despite these warnings and the ongoing conflict, the Assembly of Experts maintained a firm position. The clerical body noted that it “did not hesitate for a minute” in finalising the succession, despite what it characterised as “the brutal aggression of the criminal America and the evil Zionist regime.”
(With agency inputs)
