Mujtaba Khamenei Appointed Supreme Leader of Iran, Succeeding His Father
ARK News.. Iran’s Assembly of Experts has announced the appointment of Mujtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader, following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in the recent Israeli-American attack on Iran earlier this month.
Iranian news agency Tasnim reported today, Monday, March 9, 2026, that the Assembly of Experts voted overwhelmingly to select Mujtaba Khamenei as the third leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
His appointment comes amid escalating U.S.-Israeli campaigns against Iran since February 28, which have targeted critical infrastructure, key facilities, and military leadership. In response, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks on Gulf countries, widening the scope of the conflict.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump told Axios earlier that Mujtaba Khamenei had long been considered a leading candidate to succeed his father, calling the possibility “unacceptable.”
He added that he favors different leadership in Iran and expressed interest in having a role in selecting the next Iranian leader, citing a precedent in Venezuela.
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Mujtaba in 2019, describing him as an official representative of the Supreme Leader despite never holding an elected or official government position, according to Reuters.
Mujtaba, 56, is a cleric with significant influence who has long opposed reformist groups advocating engagement with the West. In recent years, his name has been closely associated with Iran’s decision-making circles.
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