Mojtaba Khamenei appointed Iran’s new supreme leader after death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Mojtaba Khamenei has been officially appointed as the third Supreme Leader of Iran, following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed during joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on his compound in Tehran on February 28, 2026.

The appointment was confirmed on March 8, 2026, by the Assembly of Experts, after an extraordinary session held amid the ongoing regional conflict. The 88-member council selected the 56-year-old cleric to lead the Islamic Republic at a time of heightened tensions across the Middle East.

Powerful figure behind the scenes

Mojtaba Khamenei has long been viewed as one of the most influential figures within Iran’s clerical establishment despite never holding formal elected office. A mid-ranking cleric, he has maintained close ties with powerful institutions such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij, which have played a key role in shaping political and security decisions in the country.

His appointment marks the first hereditary-style succession in the history of the Islamic Republic, a move that has sparked controversy as Iran’s political system has historically rejected the idea of monarchy.

Leadership transition during conflict

The leadership change took place during a period of intense regional escalation, often referred to as the “12-Day War.” After the killing of Ali Khamenei, an interim leadership council including Masoud Pezeshkian and senior cleric Alireza Arafi temporarily managed state affairs until the Assembly of Experts finalized the new appointment.

Ali Khamenei had ruled Iran for more than 36 years, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in the country’s modern history.

International reaction

The appointment has drawn sharp criticism from the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump described Mojtaba Khamenei’s selection as "unacceptable," warning that any Iranian leader chosen without U.S. approval “is not going to last long.”

Following his appointment, Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to prioritize retaliation for his father’s death, further intensifying concerns about escalating tensions in the region.