Assembly of Experts Appoints Mojtaba Khamenei Iran's Supreme Leader After Assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran’s Assembly of Experts announced the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, as the country’s new supreme leader in the immediate aftermath of what many outlets describe as the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in strikes on Feb. 28.

“What to know about Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's next supreme leader The Assembly of Experts made its decision Sunday, Iranian state media reported”

ABC News

State and regional outlets reported that the clerical body voted "decisively" and presented Mojtaba as the successor, framing the appointment as a rapid transition amid intense military pressure on Tehran.

ABC News

The reported change of leadership has been presented by pro-regime and regional media as a fait accompli intended to preserve continuity in the Islamic Republic’s command structure during a period of war and high external threat.

Mojtaba Khamenei is widely described in reporting as a low-profile, mid-ranking cleric who built influence through his father’s office and security connections rather than through public, elected roles.

Multiple outlets portray him as a behind-the-scenes power broker with longstanding ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other security institutions.

Al Jazeera

Reports note his limited formal clerical rank and lack of a conventional political résumé.

Several outlets cite U.S. sanctions and previous investigative reporting as evidence of his informal influence and alleged links to state security networks.

State media and several reports describe the Assembly’s decision as swift and broadly backed by Iran’s key security bodies.

“- Iran’s clerical Assembly of Experts has moved quickly to name Mojtaba Khamenei — son of the slain leader Ali Khamenei — as the new supreme leader, framing the choice as continuity and an act of defiance against the US and Israel”

Al Jazeera

Press accounts say the IRGC, the Supreme National Security Council and top military organs publicly pledged loyalty, and that a provisional council under Article 111 is operating during the transition.

Pro‑regime outlets styled the move as divinely guided and emphasized unity and mobilization to face external threats.

Critics warned the succession risks cementing hardliner control and a dynastic precedent contrary to revolutionary norms.

U.S. political figures and commentators publicly rejected the appointment.

Israeli officials warned they would treat any new supreme leader or Assembly members involved in the choice as legitimate targets.

Amu TV

Former U.S. President Donald Trump and other Western figures framed the elevation as unacceptable and said Washington should have a say in the outcome.

Tehran's foreign ministry and officials rebuffed outside interference and called for unity amid the crisis.

Reporting across outlets stresses major uncertainties and the wider regional escalation tied to the leadership change.

“Short (1–2 sentences) Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has been named Iran’s new leader following reports that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a U”

Anadolu Ajansı

Several sources note that claims about Ali Khamenei’s killing and some strike details remain unverified and that disinformation is widespread.

Anadolu Ajansı

Strikes reportedly hit Iranian energy sites and Gulf infrastructure, driving fears of broader economic and humanitarian fallout.

Independent and international outlets urged verification and cautioned readers about contested casualty tallies and conflicting accounts.

The region faces intensified military exchanges and infrastructure attacks.