Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has reportedly been elected as Iran’s new Supreme Leader following his father’s death in recent US-Israeli airstrikes. According to media reports, Mojtaba was chosen by Iran’s Assembly of Experts to assume the country’s highest religious and political office.
Ayatollah Khamenei, who led Iran for 36 years, was killed on February 28 during joint US-Israeli strikes reportedly carried out under “Operation Epic Fury.” The attack targeted multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran. Several members of his family were also killed in the strike, while his wife later succumbed to injuries. He is expected to be buried in the holy city of Mashhad, with a large farewell ceremony planned in Tehran.
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Before Mojtaba’s reported appointment, an interim three-member Leadership Council comprising Alireza Arafi, Masoud Pezeshkian, and Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei had assumed temporary responsibilities.
The leadership transition comes amid intensifying regional tensions. Iran has launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes across the Gulf, while US President Donald Trump warned that it was “too late” for Tehran to seek talks. The escalating confrontation has raised fears of a broader Middle East conflict.
