Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has been appointed to succeed his father following his assassination.
Iranian authorities selected Mojtaba Khamenei after what sources describe as mounting pressure from the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a dominant force within the country’s political and security structure.
Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel on February 28, 2026. The strikes marked a significant escalation in regional tensions.
In response, Iran launched retaliatory attacks targeting several countries across the Middle East, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Mojtaba Khamenei replaces Alireza Arafi, who had been appointed interim Supreme Leader on March 1, 2026.
At 56, Mojtaba Khamenei is one of Ali Khamenei’s sons. Although he has largely remained out of the public eye, he is believed to have played a significant advisory role behind the scenes, assisting his father in various political and religious matters.
His appointment marks a pivotal moment in Iran’s leadership transition amid heightened regional instability.
