Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei named Iran’s new supreme leader as war with US and Israel intensifies
Late leader’s son appointed by Assembly of Experts amid Israeli threats and Trump’s warning he ‘won’t last long’ without American approval
TEHRAN, Iran — March 9, 2026 — Iran’s Assembly of Experts has appointed Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, the clerical body announced early Monday, succeeding his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28 .
The 88-member Assembly confirmed the decision in a statement issued shortly after midnight Tehran time, citing “the decisive vote of the respected representatives” . The announcement ends days of speculation about succession since the elder Khamenei’s death as the conflict with the United States and Israel entered its tenth day .
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“By a decisive vote, the Assembly of Experts, appointed Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the third Leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the Assembly said .
New leader’s background and profile
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, is a mid-ranking cleric born on September 8, 1969, in the northeastern city of Mashhad . He is the second son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran as supreme leader for 37 years until his death, and the grandson of cleric Sayyed Javad Khamenei .
Unlike his father, Mojtaba has never held a formal government post or served in elected office. He pursued religious education in the holy city of Qom, studying Islamic jurisprudence and theology under several prominent conservative scholars including Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi and Mohammad-Taqi Mesbah-Yazdi . He reportedly taught advanced jurisprudence classes at Qom seminaries, considered the highest level of seminary education .
According to Iranian reports, Mojtaba participated in the Iran-Iraq War during the late 1980s as a young volunteer, marking his first experience with military affairs . He has long been viewed as having close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and extensive business networks developed under his father’s patronage, though he holds no formal position within the security apparatus .
Mojtaba survived the February 28 airstrike that killed his father, but lost his mother, sister, brother-in-law, and nephews in the attack on the family’s residential compound in Tehran . His wife, Zahra Haddad-Adel, daughter of former parliament speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, was also among those killed .
IRGC pledges allegiance, Iran confirms constitutional process
Hours after the announcement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement congratulating the new leader and pledging full loyalty . The IRGC said it respects the decision of the Assembly of Experts and vowed to follow his directives and defend the Islamic Republic, describing Mojtaba Khamenei as a qualified cleric capable of guiding the country through complex political and regional challenges .
Iranian officials moved quickly to emphasize the constitutional legitimacy of the succession. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told a press conference in Tehran on Monday that “all legal procedures and necessary formalities have been completed” in the appointment . He added that following the announcement, “the duty is clear, we are defending ourselves” .
“The Iranian nation will stand with all its might, united and with one voice, to defend the dignity, national sovereignty, and security of its citizens in this battle, which is an existential one,” Baghaei said .
International reactions: Trump threatens, Russia and China offer support
The appointment drew immediate and sharply divided reactions from world powers. US President Donald Trump, who had earlier told Axios that Mojtaba was an “unacceptable” choice and insisted he must be personally involved in selecting Iran’s next leader, reiterated his opposition on Sunday .
Speaking to ABC News, Trump warned that any new Iranian leader must receive US approval “or he’s not going to last long” . He had previously dismissed Mojtaba as a “lightweight” when reports emerged about his potential appointment .
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Trump also told ABC that he had not ruled out sending special forces to seize Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles, adding that “all options are on the table” .
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered unwavering support, sending a message to the new leader on Monday. “I would like to reaffirm our unwavering support Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends,” Putin said . “Russia has been and will remain a partner to Iran” .
Putin acknowledged the difficult circumstances of the transition: “At a time when Iran confronts armed aggression, your tenure for this high position will undoubtedly require great courage and serious dedication” .
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing had noted reports of Mojtaba’s appointment and emphasized that the decision was made “in accordance with the country’s constitution” . Guo opposed any external interference, stating that “Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected” .
Israeli threats and regional tensions
Israel had issued explicit warnings ahead of the succession decision. The Israel Defense Forces’ Farsi-language account on X threatened on Sunday to “pursue any successor to Ali Khamenei,” adding that all participants in the assembly could be treated as potential targets .
“We wish to inform you that the State of Israel will continue to closely monitor any successor and anyone seeking to appoint one,” the military posted . “We warn all those considering taking part in this meeting to select the successor that we will not hesitate to target you” .
Despite the threats, Assembly members proceeded with the selection. Mohsen Heidari Alekasir, a member representing Khuzestan province, confirmed that “the most suitable candidate, approved by the majority of the Assembly of Experts, has been determined” .
War continues as conflict enters tenth day
The leadership transition unfolded against a backdrop of intensifying military conflict. On Saturday, Israeli warplanes struck approximately 30 fuel storage sites across Iran, igniting massive fires at oil depots in Tehran that sent thick black smoke billowing over the capital . The Sharan oil depot continued to burn on Monday, with Iran’s oil distribution company reporting the deaths of four employees and announcing temporary fuel rationing .
Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said the facilities were “legal military targets” used to produce or store propellant for ballistic missiles supporting Iran’s war effort . People familiar with the matter said Israel informed Washington ahead of the operation, but the United States was surprised by the scale of the strikes. A senior US official said Washington believed the move was “not a good idea,” warning that attacks on civilian infrastructure could backfire strategically .
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes as a “dangerous new phase” of the conflict and a war crime . The IRGC announced on Sunday that it had struck and destroyed four radar systems belonging to the US-deployed THAAD missile defense system in the Middle East over the past 24 hours, releasing satellite images showing an AN/TPY-2 radar under attack .
Iran signals prolonged conflict
Iranian military officials signaled preparations for a long war. IRGC spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini said Iran’s armed forces could sustain high-intensity combat at the current pace for at least six months . He added that Iran has prepared for a “large-scale and long-term war,” equipping itself with heavy missiles, ballistic and cruise missiles, drones and attack vessels .
According to Naini, Iran is currently using first- and second-generation missiles but plans to introduce new attack methods in the coming days, including advanced long-range missiles that have rarely been deployed .
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said Tehran’s broader strategic objective is to force the United States to completely withdraw from the Middle East and close its military bases in the region .
The IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters urged Muslim countries in the region to prevent further US and Israeli attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure. Spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari accused Washington and Tel Aviv of “brutally” targeting Iran’s energy facilities and public service centers and killing civilians, warning that Tehran would respond with similar actions if such strikes continued .
“Otherwise, similar actions will be taken in the region. If you can tolerate oil prices above $200 per barrel, keep playing this game,” Zolfaghari said .
The United States announced the death of a seventh American service member on Sunday, with US Central Command confirming that an individual succumbed to injuries sustained during an Iranian attack on US troops in Saudi Arabia on March 1 .
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as Iran’s third supreme leader marks a critical moment in the Islamic Republic’s history, as it navigates both a leadership transition and an expanding war with the United States and Israel. With close ties to the IRGC and decades of behind-the-scenes influence, the new leader inherits absolute authority at a time when Iranian oil facilities burn, more than 1,250 people have been killed, and international threats multiply .
The IRGC’s swift pledge of allegiance signals continuity in Iran’s security posture, while Trump’s threats and Putin’s promises reflect the deepening geopolitical fault lines. As Iranian officials insist on constitutional legitimacy and foreign ministry spokesman Baghaei declares an “existential” battle, the region watches to see whether the new supreme leader can unite a nation under fire or whether the conflict will escalate further.
Sources / Inputs
CGTN: No end to war in sight as Iran names new supreme leader, fighting continues
BBC News Pidgin: Trump, world leaders react to Mojtaba appointment as Supreme leader of Iran
Xinhua: Iran’s IRGC pledges allegiance to new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei
BERNAMA: IRAN APPOINTS MOJTABA KHAMENEI AS ITS NEW SUPREME LEADER
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