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Iran Names Mojtaba Khamenei as New Supreme Leader, Trump Objects

Iranian state media reports that the Assembly of Experts has appointed Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ali Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader of Iran. International reports describe Mojtaba as holding a more hard-line position than his father and being linked to crackdowns on protesters, leading to prior US sanctions. Former US President Donald Trump has publicly criticized the appointment, stating Mojtaba is "unacceptable" and expressing a desire to be involved in the selection process. This development follows the death of the previous Supreme Leader in a reported US-Israel military strike.

Key Points: Iran Appoints Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader

  • Mojtaba Khamenei appointed by Assembly of Experts
  • Described as more hard-line than his father
  • Previously sanctioned by US Treasury
  • Trump seeks role in selection, calls him "lightweight"
  • Succession follows Ali Khamenei's death in strike
3 min read

Mojtaba Khamenei named Iran's new Supreme Leader, reports state media

Iran's Assembly of Experts appoints Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as new Supreme Leader, drawing criticism from former US President Donald Trump.

"Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran. - Donald Trump"

Tehran, March 9

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Ali Khamenei, has been appointed Iran's new Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts, Iranian state media reported.

In a post on X, Press TV said, "Iran's Assembly of Experts has appointed Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Leader of the Islamic Republic"

Mojtaba Khamenei is the second-oldest son of Ali Khamenei.

According to Al Jazeera Breaking News, Iran's Assembly of Experts has called upon the Iranians to maintain unity and pledge support to Khamenei

Israeli Media described Mojtaba as having a more hard-line position than his father and being behind the violent crackdowns on protesters in Iran.

In November 2019, the US Treasury Department issued sanctions against Mojtaba. He was designated for representing the then Supreme Leader in an official capacity despite never being elected or appointed to a government position.

The US Treasury further said that the then Supreme Leader had delegated a part of his leadership responsibilities to Mojataba Khamenei, who worked closely with the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and also the Basij Resistance Force (Basij) to advance his father's destabilising regional ambitions and oppressive domestic objectives.

It had also been reported that Mojtaba Khamenei has access to luxury properties in London and accounts in the UK, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

The development comes after US President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed his desire to be personally involved in selecting Iran's next Supreme Leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israel joint military strike last week, as reported by Axios.

In an exclusive interview with Axios, Trump said he wanted a role in the appointment of Iran's next leader, drawing a comparison to his involvement in political developments in Venezuela in January following the capture of its former President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in a US military operation.

He also criticised the possible succession of the son of the late supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is widely viewed as a leading contender for the position.

"They are wasting their time. Khamenei's son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela," Trump said, as quoted by Axios.

Trump described Mojtaba Khamenei as "unacceptable" and said he would prefer a leader who could bring "harmony and peace" to Iran, warning that a continuation of his father's policies could lead to renewed conflict with the United States in the future.

"Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran," the US President added, according to Axios.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The reports about his hard-line stance and crackdowns on protesters are very troubling. The people of Iran deserve peace and freedom. Also, the luxury properties abroad while preaching austerity at home? The hypocrisy is glaring. 🙄
A
Aditya G
Trump wanting to be involved is the most ridiculous part! How can the US President think he has any say in who leads another sovereign nation? This kind of interference is what creates more problems. Let Iran decide its own future.
S
Sarah B
From an Indian perspective, regional stability is key. A more hard-line leader in Iran could complicate things for us, especially with our energy imports and the Chabahar port project. We need diplomacy, not more confrontation.
M
Meera T
The Assembly of Experts asking for unity is standard, but will the people accept it? If he's truly behind violent crackdowns, this appointment will only deepen the divide within Iran. A sad day for democratic aspirations there.
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Vikram M
While I don't support theocratic rule, Trump's comments are completely out of line and counterproductive. It gives the new leadership a perfect excuse to rally people against an external enemy. The US should learn to stay out of other countries' internal affairs.

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