Khamenei Legacy Continues: Mojtaba Khamenei Takes Iran’s Helm

Iran Security chief Says Election of New Supreme Leader Caused US, Israel ‘Despair’

TEHRAN: Tehran has confirmed the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as the Islamic Republic’s new Supreme Leader, who was chosen to succeed his slain father, Ali Khamenei, despite threats from the United States and Israel that he could be their next target, as Iran fired a fresh salvo of missiles as soon as he assumed office.

An announcer on state television solemnly read a statement from the 88-member Assembly of Experts next to a picture of the new 56-year-old leader, who bears a striking resemblance to his father.

Mojtaba Khamenei "is appointed and introduced as the third leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, based on the decisive vote of the respected representatives of the Assembly of Experts", the statement said.

It said the clerical body "did not hesitate for a minute" in choosing a new leader despite "the brutal aggression of the criminal America and the evil Zionist regime".

State media soon afterwards showed a projectile said to be launched at Israel bearing the slogan, "At Your Command, Sayyid Mojtaba", using an Islamic honorific. Explosions were also heard early Monday in Qatar, home to a major US air base.

Nine days after US-Israeli strikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and plunged the Middle East into war, Shiite clerics convened to choose the country's third supreme leader since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

For Washington, the appointment complicates potential diplomatic engagement. A leader embedded in Iran’s security apparatus and ideological establishment — whose family has already suffered casualties from prior US and Israeli strikes — is unlikely to be a partner in negotiation in the near term.

Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani said that the election of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father had left Israel and the United States in "despair."

"Your selection by the Assembly of Experts as the leader of the Islamic Republic system has caused the hostile and warmongering enemies to despair," said Larijani in a post on X.

Putin congratulates Khamenei's son on his appointment

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei on his appointment as Iran's new leader, the Kremlin said on Monday.

Putin said he was confident Khamenei would continue his father's work "with honour" and unite the Iranian people "in the face of severe trials."

He added that Russia would continue to stand by Tehran, saying he wished to "confirm unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends."

China says Mojtaba Khamenei's election based on Iran's constitution

China says it opposes any targeting of Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, after threats by the Israeli military against the successor to his slain father, Ali Khamenei.

“China opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs under any pretext, and Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected,” foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a press conference. He said that the move to name a new leader “is a decision by the Iranian side based on its constitution.”