Iran has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader, succeeding his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the early stages of the ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States.
The announcement was made shortly after midnight in Tehran by the Assembly of Experts, the constitutional body of 88 clerics responsible for selecting Iran’s Supreme Leader.
“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 in an official statement.
Mojtaba Khamenei, a mid-ranking cleric with significant influence within Iran’s security establishment and extensive business networks tied to his father’s inner circle, had long been viewed as the leading candidate to succeed the late leader. His appointment signals that the country’s hardline leadership structure remains firmly in control as the conflict enters its second week.
As Supreme Leader, Mojtaba will hold the highest authority in the Islamic Republic, exercising final control over key state institutions including the armed forces, judiciary and major policy decisions.
The development is expected to heighten tensions with Washington. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, had earlier suggested that Washington should have influence over the leadership transition in Tehran.
“If he doesn't get approval from us, he's not going to last long,” Trump said in an interview with ABC News.
The leadership change follows the death of Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed during one of the initial strikes launched against Iran more than a week ago. The conflict has since intensified, with both sides exchanging major military blows.
According to the United States military, a seventh American service member has died from injuries sustained during Iran’s initial counter-attack, following the return of the remains of six others to the United States in a ceremony overseen by President Trump.
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations said that at least 1,332 Iranian civilians have been killed and thousands injured in the US–Israeli strikes so far.
Despite growing international concern, senior Iranian leaders have indicated that Tehran is not seeking an immediate ceasefire. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, said the country would continue its response and “punish the aggressors.”
Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its operations targeting senior Iranian officials. The Israeli military said that Abolqasem Babaian, the recently appointed head of the Supreme Leader’s military office, was killed in an airstrike on Saturday.
Residents in Tehran reported thick black smoke rising over parts of the capital after Israeli strikes targeted major oil storage facilities, lighting the night sky with large flames.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the attacks as a “dangerous new phase” of the conflict and accused Israel of committing war crimes by targeting fuel depots that could release hazardous materials into the atmosphere.
However, Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani defended the strikes, stating that the depots were used to fuel Iran’s war effort, including supporting ballistic missile production, and therefore constituted legitimate military targets.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, said his government would continue its campaign against Iran’s leadership.
“We have an organised plan with many surprises to destabilise the regime and enable change,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.
The United States is also intensifying diplomatic coordination with Israel. According to Axios, citing a senior US official, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to visit Israel on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Trump indicated that he was not currently pursuing negotiations to end the conflict.
“At some point, I don’t think there will be anybody left maybe to say, ‘We surrender’,” he said.
The intensifying war has already begun to disrupt global energy markets, business activity and international air travel, raising concerns about broader instability across the Middle East.
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