Iran defies Trump, elevates Khamenei's son Mojtaba as successor - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisgFBVV95cUxPS095cWZLMWpaZW8wbDQxRk9oNXV2QWYyOXU2ZkE1Q0tYU3VCLS1vWHZRMk9xNDJSdXI1MldxSnE2cVNLRDh1eDhPX1JIZjdhMVpGcUJUZ184M05GM2NrUjZRWGlRUmpnSU1DSThHSDF2WUNUTlB1dW1YWGZ1eEI0ejlVUTROaUhkZDR1TkJhOUlDNUkzVFVkWV9SNjJyalJxWHFoWEJJMGZyZHZoZjNsOTFR?oc=5" target="_blank">Iran defies Trump, elevates Khamenei's son Mojtaba as successor</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been appointed as Iran’s new Supreme Leader following the death of his father in an Israeli airstrike. This attack also killed Mojtaba's wife and marked the start of an escalating war involving Iran, Israel, and the U.S. Despite having no formal government role, Mojtaba gained prominence for his extensive behind-the-scenes influence within the regime, often referred to as “the power behind the robes.”

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ali Khamenei, has been named Iran's next supreme leader according to state media. This decision consolidates hardline control over the country at a time when Iran is under heavy U.S. and Israeli military pressure following the assassination of Ali Khamenei during major combat operations. Despite the late leader reportedly considering other successors with stronger credentials, the Assembly of Experts has urged the nation to unite and pledge allegiance to Mojtaba. Born in 1969, Mojtaba fought in the Iran-Iraq War as a member of the Revolutionary Guard and has long been seen as more ideologically extreme than his father. He is believed to control a vast global business empire, raising concerns of increased repression under his leadership. This transition marks a pivotal moment in Iran’s political landscape.

A secretive figure within the Islamic Republic, Mojtaba Khamenei was not seen publicly in the days after an Israeli airstrike targeting the supreme leader’s offices killed his 86-year-old father at the start of the war. Also killed in that strike were the younger Khamenei’s wife, Zahra Haddad Adel, who came from a family long associated with the country’s theocracy. Mojtaba Khamenei will now have a central say in Iran’s war strategy with the country’s powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard answering to him. The announcement of his selection came after signs of a rift among Iranian officials as Iran awaited the decision by the 88-seat Assembly of Experts, a group of clerics that selects the supreme leader.

Mojtaba Khamenei has been named Iran’s new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an Israeli strike on February 28 during the ongoing war. The succession by Mojtaba, a hard-line cleric and son of the late leader, has drawn criticism within Iran over fears of dynastic rule. Despite controversy, the Assembly of Experts selected him, likely valuing his ties to the Revolutionary Guard to pursue the escalating regional conflict.

Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, 56, has been declared Iran's new Supreme Leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on February 28, 2026. Mojtaba, who lost his wife and reportedly a child in the attack, has long been seen as a powerful figure behind the scenes, often speculated to be positioning himself for succession. Despite never holding an official post, he was influential in key political events, such as the rise of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, largely due to his strong ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which publicly pledged loyalty to him amid the crisis.

Analysts say the choice of Mojtaba, a deeply hardline cleric whose wife, mother and other family members were also killed in U.S.–Israeli strikes – sends an unequivocal message: Iran’s leadership has rejected any prospect of compromise to preserve the system and sees no path forward except confrontation, revenge and endurance. According to insiders, Mojtaba will face immense internal and external strain from a disaffected population and an escalating conflict, but is expected to move swiftly to consolidate power.