Iran elects new Supreme Leader: Khamenei’s son Mojtaba Khamenei takes office

International Desk

A historic and controversial change has taken place in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been elected as the country’s new Supreme Leader. Iran’s Assembly of Experts has reportedly made the decision. Multiple sources, including the media outlet Iran International, have confirmed the information.

The election was held in haste. The country was left with a leadership vacuum after the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28. An Interim Leadership Council was formed in accordance with the constitution, consisting of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Azei, and Guardian Council representative Ayatollah Alireza Arafi.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a new leader could be elected within a day or two.

History and background of Mojtaba Khamenei:

Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei (born circa 1969) is the second son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and has long been active behind the scenes in the center of Iranian power. He studied at the religious seminary in Qom and is known as a religious leader. In 2022, he was given the title of ‘Ayatollah’, which is seen as preparation for his father’s succession. However, he has been criticized for being less experienced in religious scholarship than many.

Mojtaba maintains close ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He is said to have played a key role in intelligence and security. He has long been considered a potential successor to his father, but has never been officially announced. Sources say IRGC pressure and influence played a significant role in his election.

According to Articles 107 and 111 of the Iranian Constitution, the Supreme Leader is elected by the Assembly of Experts (an 88-member assembly of religious experts). The process was expedited in the wartime context following Khamenei’s death. Some sources say the election was carried out under pressure from the IRGC, which has accused it of a dynastic succession.

This change will have important implications for Iran’s future policies, particularly in the areas of Israeli-US confrontation, nuclear program, and internal control. New leader Mojtaba Khamenei is believed to have already signaled a tougher stance.

Iran is now observing 40 days of mourning and the country’s future under new leadership is uncertain.