Iran has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader, following the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint US-Israeli strikes that have triggered a major regional war.
The 56-year-old cleric was officially chosen on Sunday by senior religious authorities to guide the Islamic Republic through what is being described as its most severe crisis in nearly five decades, reports state media.
Iran’s military establishment, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the armed forces, quickly expressed loyalty to the new leader.
READ MORE: Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?
Ali Larijani, head of the Supreme National Security Council, urged unity under Mojtaba’s leadership, while Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emphasised that following him was both a religious and national obligation.
Although Mojtaba has never held elected office, he has long been a powerful figure behind the scenes, maintaining close ties with the IRGC.
His rise has been anticipated for years, and his appointment signals that hardline elements remain dominant in Iran’s leadership suggesting little appetite for negotiations as the war intensifies.
Analysts expect him to be confrontational rather than moderate, though some believe that if the conflict eventually subsides and he remains in power, he could open new paths for Iran’s future.
