Tehran: Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, the son of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been elected as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, according to an official announcement from Iranian authorities.

The decision was made by Iran’s Assembly of Experts during a meeting held on Sunday in Tehran. Under Article 108 of the Iranian Constitution, Mojtaba Khamenei has now become the third Supreme Leader in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The announcement was also confirmed through posts shared by media channels associated with the Khamenei family on the social media platform X. Mojtaba acknowledged the development, signaling the beginning of his leadership role.

As Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei will hold the highest political and religious authority in Iran and will have the final say on major national decisions, including defense, foreign policy, and the country’s strategic direction.

The leadership transition follows the reported death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 in what Iranian sources described as a joint airstrike carried out by the United States and Israel. According to reports, several members of his family were also present during the incident.

Before Mojtaba’s formal election, an acting Supreme Leader temporarily managed the responsibilities of the position.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Ali Khamenei, has long been considered an influential figure within Iran’s political structure. He maintained close ties with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during his father’s tenure.

However, his political role has also drawn international attention. In 2019, the United States Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Mojtaba Khamenei, alleging that he played a key role in decision-making on behalf of his father despite not holding an official government position.

Meanwhile, tensions remain high in the region. Former US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran following the leadership change, stating that the new leadership must cooperate with the United States. Israeli officials have also previously issued strong statements regarding Iran’s leadership and military activities.

The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei marks a significant moment in Iran’s political history and is expected to have major implications for regional and global geopolitics.