Mojtaba Khamenei Named Iran’s Supreme Leader Following Father’s Death

Iran’s senior clergy have chosen Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as his father’s successor. The Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for the appointment, announced on Monday, March 9, 2026, that a majority had voted for the 56-year-old cleric to become the third leader of the Islamic republic . The assembly called on the Iranian nation, the political elite, intellectuals and senior clergy to show their allegiance to the new leader.

Succession Amidst Crisis

Mojtaba Khamenei’s father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had ruled Iran since 1989, was killed in US and Israeli air strikes on the supreme leader’s compound just over a week ago . His selection comes as escalating regional tensions sent oil prices surging through $100 a barrel for the first time in almost four years.

Background of Mojtaba Khamenei

Mojtaba Khamenei, born in 1969 in Mashhad, Iran , has cultivated close ties with the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) . He kept a relatively low profile before the recent conflict. He studied under his father and Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, who later served as Iran’s chief justice . Unlike his father, Mojtaba has never held public office and is not a senior cleric .

US Response and Concerns

US President Donald Trump has stated that Mojtaba Khamenei would not be acceptable to the US as Iran’s next leader, suggesting a desire to “be involved” in the choice . His appointment represents a dynastic succession unprecedented in the Islamic Republic, sparking debate over legitimacy and the growing dominance of the IRGC in Iran’s politics .