Iran Names Khamenei's Son As New Supreme Leader
7 hours ago
Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country’s new supreme leader, signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge in Tehran.
The announcement comes more than a week after his father was killed in one of the first airstrikes in the ongoing U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, according to Iranian media.
Mojtaba, a mid-ranking cleric with considerable influence, served as a key figure within Iran’s security forces and acted as his father’s “gatekeeper,” consolidating his power over the years. His appointment is expected to heighten tensions with the United States.
President Donald Trump has publicly stated that he believes the U.S. should have a say in the selection of Iran’s next leader, a demand that Tehran has firmly rejected. Trump told ABC News on Sunday, “If he doesn’t get approval from us, he’s not going to last long.”
Ahead of the announcement, Israel warned it would target whoever was chosen. Fighting has intensified in the more-than-week-long U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, with Israel expanding strikes to fuel depots and Bahrain blaming Iran for an attack on a desalination plant.
Trump has called for an “unconditional surrender,” but Tehran’s parliamentary speaker said Iran is not seeking a ceasefire and will punish aggressors. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to continue strikes on Iran “without mercy.” Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said he is not pursuing negotiations to end the conflict and warned, “At some point, I don’t think there will be anybody left maybe to say, ‘We surrender.’”
The escalation has sent global energy prices higher, disrupted business, and caused widespread travel delays.
The announcement comes more than a week after his father was killed in one of the first airstrikes in the ongoing U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, according to Iranian media.
Mojtaba, a mid-ranking cleric with considerable influence, served as a key figure within Iran’s security forces and acted as his father’s “gatekeeper,” consolidating his power over the years. His appointment is expected to heighten tensions with the United States.
President Donald Trump has publicly stated that he believes the U.S. should have a say in the selection of Iran’s next leader, a demand that Tehran has firmly rejected. Trump told ABC News on Sunday, “If he doesn’t get approval from us, he’s not going to last long.”
Ahead of the announcement, Israel warned it would target whoever was chosen. Fighting has intensified in the more-than-week-long U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, with Israel expanding strikes to fuel depots and Bahrain blaming Iran for an attack on a desalination plant.
Trump has called for an “unconditional surrender,” but Tehran’s parliamentary speaker said Iran is not seeking a ceasefire and will punish aggressors. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to continue strikes on Iran “without mercy.” Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said he is not pursuing negotiations to end the conflict and warned, “At some point, I don’t think there will be anybody left maybe to say, ‘We surrender.’”
The escalation has sent global energy prices higher, disrupted business, and caused widespread travel delays.
