Mojtaba Khamenei has been appointed as Iran’s new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, marking a major shift in leadership within the Islamic Republic.
The 56-year-old, who previously held no official government position, has long been considered an influential figure working behind the scenes in Iran’s political system. Analysts say his rise suggests a continuation of his father’s hardline leadership style.
Mojtaba Khamenei is believed to have strong ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a powerful military and political institution in Iran that quickly pledged its loyalty to him after his appointment.
Shortly after the announcement, Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian, along with the country’s armed forces and judiciary, publicly endorsed the new leader.
Khamenei was officially selected by the Assembly of Experts, Iran’s top clerical council responsible for appointing the nation’s supreme leader.
For years, Mojtaba Khamenei has remained largely out of the public spotlight, rarely appearing at official ceremonies or in the media. His quiet presence has fueled speculation about his true influence within Iran’s power structure.
Born on September 8, 1969, in the religious city of Mashhad, he is the only one of his father’s six children to hold a public leadership role.
His appointment follows the death of Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the first wave of US-Israeli air strikes on Tehran, which triggered the current Middle East conflict.
