Mojtaba Khamenei: New Supreme Leader of Iran

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has named Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, replacing his father Ali Khamenei, according to Iranian state media.

The leadership transition follows the death of Ali Khamenei during the opening phase of the U.S.–Israel campaign against Iran, which began with strikes on February 28.

Mojtaba Khamenei had been widely viewed as a leading candidate to succeed his father, with reports suggesting support from influential factions within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the appointment, previously calling Mojtaba Khamenei “unacceptable” and suggesting the United States should have input in Iran’s leadership transition. Iranian officials have rejected that suggestion.

Earlier in the day, Trump said any successor to Iran’s late supreme leader would face difficulty remaining in power without U.S. approval.

The appointment comes as Iran remains in direct conflict with the United States and Israel, making the leadership change one of the most consequential political shifts in Iran during the ongoing war.