Iran’s Assembly Elects Mojtaba Khamenei as Next Supreme Leader

Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Ali Khamenei, has been officially elected as Iran’s third Supreme Leader. According to reports, the Assembly of Experts, the constitutional body responsible for selecting the leader, announced the decision on the 8th, stating, “We have elected Mojtaba as the third leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran with an overwhelming majority of votes.” The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a major military and economic force in Iran, also pledged allegiance to Mojtaba.

The position of Supreme Leader, known as “rahbar” in Persian, is the highest authority in the country, considered the “representative of God” and above all other branches of government. In their statement, the Assembly of Experts referred to the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who died in a U.S.-Israeli airstrike on the 28th of last month, as a “great leader” and a “martyr.” They emphasized that despite the challenging circumstances and threats from enemies, they proceeded with the election process without hesitation.

The statement continued, “In accordance with the religious duty and faith performed before the Almighty, we have elected Mojtaba Khamenei as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” The Assembly also condemned the “cruel aggression of the criminal United States and the wicked Zionist regime, Israel,” urging the Iranian people to “pledge allegiance to the leadership and maintain unity.”

Footage of citizens in Tehran celebrating Mojtaba’s election was broadcast by Iranian state television. According to AFP, the IRGC issued a statement immediately after the announcement, saying, “The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is fully prepared to carry out the sacred commands of Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei, the guardian jurist of the era, with complete obedience and self-sacrifice.”

Born in 1969, Mojtaba grew up during a period when his father was actively involved in opposing the Pahlavi monarchy. He witnessed significant political events, including the arrest of his father by the secret police SAVAK during his childhood. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, he attended Alavi High School in Tehran and later participated in the Iran-Iraq War, beginning to build close ties with the IRGC.

Although Mojtaba holds few official positions, he has acted as a “power behind the scenes” in political and military matters, leveraging his father’s legacy. Iranian opposition groups have claimed since the mid-2000s that Mojtaba has been a key figure in the Supreme Leader’s office, forming alliances with important government officials. He is also believed to have been the de facto leader of the Basij, a militia under the IRGC, which played a central role in suppressing anti-government protests last January.

Iran, now led by Mojtaba, is expected to continue its “ultra-hardline resistance path.” However, the United States and Israel have already expressed their stance to continue “decapitation operations,” stating, “Whoever becomes Khamenei’s successor will be eliminated.” U.S. President Donald Trump previously said, “He will need our approval,” adding, “If he does not receive our approval, he will not last long.” Israel has also repeatedly stated that “Khamenei’s successor must be eliminated.”

It is reported that hardline military factions centered around the IRGC were instrumental in electing Mojtaba. However, Israel and anti-Iran factions have questioned the legitimacy of his leadership, claiming that Khamenei was resistant to the idea of his son succeeding him and had expressed dissatisfaction with Mojtaba’s leadership during his lifetime. Israel’s N12 broadcast reported, “Khamenei left a will stating, ‘Do not appoint my son as successor,’ and this is why the official announcement of the successor was delayed.”