Iran's Assembly of Experts has named Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as the country's new supreme leader. The appointment comes amid an escalating war with the United States and Israel that entered its tenth day.
Key Takeaways
Iran's Assembly of Experts has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as the country's new supreme leader amid an escalating war with the United States and Israel. The 56-year-old cleric, known for his ties to Iran's security forces, was elected by a decisive vote just after midnight Tehran time.
- Iran names Mojtaba Khamenei as its third supreme leader since the Islamic Republic's founding in 1979
- Appointment made amid escalating war with U.S. and Israel entering its tenth day
- Large crowds celebrated the appointment, while others protested from balconies
- U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Mojtaba Khamenei's appointment, threatening consequences if he isn't approved by the U.S.
- Israeli military threatened to target the new leader and those involved in his appointment
The 56-year-old cleric was elected by a decisive vote just after midnight Tehran time. This position grants him ultimate authority over all state matters. Iranian institutions and politicians swiftly expressed their allegiance to the new leader, with senior clerics praising the decision as a means of preserving national unity.
However, the appointment has also sparked protests within Iran. Thousands of Iranians gathered in major squares and streets across the country to pledge allegiance, chanting 'Death to America, death to Israel' and 'God is greatest.' Meanwhile, those opposed to the regime could be heard shouting 'Death to Mojtaba' from their balconies.
U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Mojtaba Khamenei's appointment, stating that he should have had a say in the selection process. The Israeli military also threatened to target the new leader and those involved in his appointment.
The escalating conflict has severely impacted global oil trade, with prices surging more than 25% due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. As fighting escalated on day nine of the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, thick black smoke hung over Tehran after strikes on oil storage facilities lit up the night sky with plumes of orange flame.
Pope Leo warned on Sunday of 'a tragedy of enormous proportions' due to widespread hatred and fear across the region, calling for prayers that weapons may fall silent and space be opened for dialogue. Iranian officials condemned these attacks as war crimes, while Israeli authorities defended them as legal military targets.
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