BREAKING: Iran appoints Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader despite Israeli warning

Europe-Asia, International, Middle East, North America, Politics

INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 8, 2026 — After days of speculation, Iran’s Assembly of Experts announced on Sunday that Mojtaba Khamenei, a cleric and the second son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been formally selected as the country’s new Supreme Leader.

The announcement comes amid heightened tensions following remarks by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who warned that any successor to the late Ayatollah would be considered a target for elimination. 

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has long been regarded as an influential figure within Iran’s political and religious establishment, despite never holding elected office. His appointment marks a historic moment, as Iran’s system traditionally discourages hereditary succession. However, his close ties to the Revolutionary Guards and clerical networks positioned him as a strong candidate.

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Born in Mashhad in 1969, Mojtaba studied at the Qom Seminary and rose to prominence as a mid-ranking cleric. He briefly served in the Iran–Iraq War before gaining influence through his role in the Basij militia and his proximity to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. 

Known for his behind-the-scenes influence, he was widely believed to have played a role in shaping Iran’s domestic politics during the 2009 Green Movement protests. His leadership is expected to consolidate power within the Khamenei family.