Iran’s powerful clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, according to reports carried by state media and cited by Al Jazeera.
The decision was announced Sunday after what officials described as a “decisive vote” by the Assembly, the constitutional authority responsible for selecting Iran’s highest political and religious leader.
In a statement distributed through state-run outlets, the Assembly urged Iranians to unite behind the new leader and called on the public to support the country’s leadership during the transition.
The statement specifically appealed to citizens, “especially the elites and intellectuals of the seminaries and universities,” to pledge allegiance to Mojtaba Khamenei and help maintain national cohesion.
The appointment follows the death of Ali Khamenei, who had led the Islamic Republic since 1989. He was reportedly killed on February 28 during a joint military operation carried out by the United States and Israel that targeted leadership sites in Tehran amid escalating regional tensions.
His death triggered widespread speculation over who would assume Iran’s top leadership role, with Mojtaba Khamenei widely viewed as a leading contender despite concerns among some political and religious figures about the appearance of dynastic succession.
A mid-ranking cleric, Mojtaba is believed to have close connections with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and has long been considered an influential figure behind the scenes in Iran’s political system.
Before the announcement, former U.S. president Donald Trump publicly criticized the possibility of Mojtaba Khamenei assuming power, reportedly describing him as a “lightweight” and arguing that he should not play a role in determining Iran’s leadership.
Under Iran’s constitution, the Assembly of Experts has the authority to appoint the Supreme Leader, the most powerful figure in the country who holds ultimate control over national policy, the armed forces, and the judiciary.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment marks one of the most consequential political transitions in Iran in decades and comes at a time of heightened tension across the Middle East following his father’s death.
