Iran Rallies Around New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Amid Ongoing War

Iran’s 88-member Assembly of Experts approved Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the new supreme leader after his father was killed on February 28, the first day of the war. State television reported that the 56-year-old leader has been tasked with steering the Islamic Republic during the ongoing conflict.

Mojtaba Khamenei has rarely appeared publicly or made speeches but is widely believed to have acted as a powerful behind-the-scenes figure with strong ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His rise to the country’s highest political and religious office is seen as a continuation of the system established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The IRGC was among the first institutions to pledge loyalty to the new leader. In a statement, it said its forces are ready to “fully obey and sacrifice for the divine commands” of Khamenei in order to protect the values of the Islamic Revolution and the legacy of Iran’s first two supreme leaders, Ali Khamenei and Ruhollah Khomeini.

Separate statements of support were also issued by the IRGC’s aerospace, ground and naval forces. The Iranian army, the national police leadership and the Defence Council likewise confirmed their readiness to follow the orders of the new supreme leader.

Iran’s Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib said the leadership transition proves that “Islamic Iran knows no dead ends and always has a bright outlook of victory.”

The powerful Guardian Council also welcomed the appointment, calling Mojtaba Khamenei’s selection a “balm for the pain” following the death of his father. Religious seminaries, along with the heads of government, judiciary and parliament, also issued statements supporting the decision.

Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, expressed more measured support but stressed that the selection process had been conducted legally by the Assembly of Experts. He said the transparent procedure addressed criticism and confirmed the legitimacy of the new leader.

Larijani emphasized that the position of supreme leader represents a symbol of national unity and expressed hope that Iran will see economic improvement and greater stability during Mojtaba Khamenei’s leadership.

Following his appointment, supporters and officials began referring to Mojtaba Khamenei as “Ayatollah,” indicating that his religious rank had been elevated from hojatoleslam as part of his rise to the country’s highest authority. Some hardline media outlets have even used the title “Imam,” which was commonly used for his father and Iran’s first supreme leader.

State television showed announcements of his selection at major mosques in Tehran, Mashhad and Isfahan. Authorities also sent mass text messages inviting citizens to gather at Enghelab Square in Tehran and other locations across the country to pledge allegiance to the new leader.

Meanwhile, Israeli and US warplanes continued bombing Tehran and Isfahan, just days after large-scale strikes targeted oil reserves and refineries in the Iranian capital.

Mojtaba Khamenei now faces significant challenges, including the risk of assassination as the United States and Israel have vowed to continue targeting Iranian leadership figures. Some media outlets have suggested he may have been injured in a recent strike, though officials have not confirmed these reports.

US President Donald Trump has openly criticized the selection of Iran’s new leader and said Washington would seek to eliminate him, arguing that the United States should have a role in determining Iran’s future leadership.

The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei also signals that hardline factions remain dominant within Iran’s political establishment, suggesting the government is unlikely to enter negotiations with the United States in the near future.

Military commanders from the IRGC and the Iranian army have continued launching projectiles since the leadership change. One IRGC commander said the country has the capability to sustain major military operations for at least six months.

At the same time, US officials have indicated their intention to continue the war in order to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and cut support for regional allies known as the “axis of resistance.”

Groups allied with Iran, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and armed factions in Iraq, have issued statements backing Mojtaba Khamenei’s leadership.

Iran’s new leader also takes power during a period of severe economic pressure. The United States is attempting to restrict Iran’s oil exports while maintaining sanctions that have heavily affected the country’s economy.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a potential flashpoint as disruptions to shipping continue. Iran is also experiencing one of its highest inflation rates in decades, with overall inflation around 70 percent and food inflation exceeding 100 percent, according to the Statistical Centre of Iran.

Despite the economic strain, Iranian authorities have assured the country’s population of about 92 million that contingency plans are in place and that shortages of essential goods such as food and fuel will be avoided.