The Experts Council of Iran has elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. This decision marks the first instance of hereditary leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
According to the Iranian news agency Fars News, the Council made this choice with a “significant majority” and urged citizens to “maintain unity and pledge allegiance to the new leader.” Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has not previously run for elected office but has been a prominent figure in the inner circle of the Supreme Leader for decades, maintaining close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
In its statement, the Experts Council condemned what it termed the “brutal aggression of the criminal America and the Zionist regime,” referencing recent airstrikes that reportedly targeted the Council’s secretariat offices, resulting in several casualties among staff.
Earlier, former U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that the new Iranian leader would not last long without Washington’s approval. Iranian officials dismissed these claims, emphasizing that only Iranians can determine their country’s future. Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, ridiculed Trump’s assertions, stating that “the Jeffrey Epstein gang will not dictate Iran’s fate.”
Military Operations Against Iran
On February 28, Israel launched an attack on Tehran, prompting Trump to announce a “major military operation” aimed at eliminating perceived threats from the Iranian regime. He accused Iran of funding and training militants in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Hamas in Palestine, stating that the operation’s objectives included dismantling Iran’s missile industry and naval capabilities to prevent global destabilization.
The IRGC responded by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and attacking U.S. military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In light of the escalating military actions, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring regional security and stability in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked that it is just to give Iranians a chance to rid themselves of a “terrorist regime” and to ensure safety for all nations affected by Iranian attacks.
On March 1, the IRGC announced the initiation of the “most destructive offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic” against Israel and U.S. military bases. Trump urged the Iranian regime to reconsider these plans, threatening a “very strong response.” On March 2, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the next phase of military operations would be even more devastating.
On March 6, Trump called for a complete change in Iran’s leadership, suggesting he had several candidates in mind for a “good leader.”
The Iranian Experts Council has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader, marking a significant shift in leadership dynamics. This development occurs amid escalating military tensions involving the U.S. and Israel, raising concerns about regional stability.