Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader following the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei.
The decision was announced on Sunday, March 8, by the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible under Iran’s constitution for selecting the country’s supreme leader.
In a statement circulated by state media, the Assembly said Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen after what it described as a “decisive vote,” urging citizens to remain united and support the new leader.
The statement also called on Iranians, “especially the elites and intellectuals of the seminaries and universities,” to pledge allegiance to the leadership and help maintain national unity.
The appointment follows the recent killing of Ali Khamenei, who had served as Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989. He was reportedly killed on February 28 during a joint military operation by the United States and Israel targeting leadership sites in Tehran amid escalating regional tensions.
Before Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment was announced, Donald Trump had publicly opposed the possibility of him becoming Iran’s leader, reportedly describing him as a “lightweight” and suggesting he should not influence the country’s leadership succession.
