Slain Ayatollah Khameneis son Mojtaba Khamenei elected Irans Supreme Leader
The announcement came days after Iran International first reported that the 56-year-old hardline cleric had been selected for the powerful position.
PTC News Desk: Iran Assembly of Experts has announced that Mojtaba Khamenei will replace his father Ali Khamenei as Iran’s Supreme Leader after his father was killed, according to Iranian state media and Reuters.
The announcement came days after Iran International first reported that the 56-year-old hardline cleric had been selected for the powerful position.
Mojtaba, who is a mid-level cleric and has close connections with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, had long been seen by some leaders in Iran as a possible successor to his father. Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in joint strikes by the United States and Israel, which led to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. As Supreme Leader, Mojtaba will now have the highest authority over all state matters in Iran.
His appointment could anger Donald Trump, who said the United States should have a role in choosing Iran’s next leader. Speaking to ABC News, he warned that the new leader might not remain in power for long without US approval. Israel had also earlier warned that it could target whoever becomes Iran’s next Supreme Leader.
Although Iran’s political system does not support family succession, Mojtaba has strong support within the Revolutionary Guards and from officials connected to his father’s office.
In a statement released shortly after midnight in Tehran, the Assembly of Experts said it had voted decisively to appoint Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.