The Islamic Republic of Iran has moved swiftly to appoint a new Supreme Leader in the wake of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's assassination on February 28, 2026. The Assembly of Experts, acting under significant pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), selected Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader, as his successor. This decision follows a series of airstrikes conducted by Israel and the United States, which led to Ayatollah Khamenei's death.
The process of electing the new leader deviated from standard legal procedures due to the urgency imposed by ongoing aerial attacks and the influence of the IRGC. The decision, which is yet to be formally announced, is expected to be made public in the coming hours, according to senior Israeli officials and reports by Iran International's correspondent.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Ayatollah Khamenei, is recognized for his alignment with Iran's hardline conservative faction and his background as a mid-ranking cleric who teaches Shiite theology in Qom, Iran's religious epicenter. Despite never holding a formal government role, he is reputed to exert significant influence within the regime, particularly through his close relationships with the Revolutionary Guards.
The United States previously imposed sanctions on Mojtaba Khamenei in 2019, acknowledging his de facto representation of the Supreme Leader, despite lacking an official title. His deep connections with the IRGC were instrumental in securing the Assembly's votes required for his appointment.
Analysts have expressed concern that a transition of power from father to son could incite discontent among Iranians opposed to clerical rule, as well as some proponents of the existing government who may consider such succession as contrary to Islamic tradition.
In parallel developments, IDF Chief Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin disclosed at a press conference that the Israeli Defense Forces destroyed a clandestine Iranian nuclear weapons development site in Tehran, named Min Zadai. The IDF has accused Iran of persisting in its military nuclear program, redirecting efforts to underground facilities designed to endure aerial bombardment.
The swift appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei aims to fill the leadership vacuum and stabilize the nation's governance structure amidst escalating regional tensions. His rise to power marks a significant moment for Iran, as it navigates internal pressures and international scrutiny.
