Iranian state media and channels are reporting that Mojtaba Khamenei, the newly appointed Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, is set to deliver his first address to the nation in the coming hours. This highly anticipated speech comes just days after the Assembly of Experts officially named him as the successor to his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid escalating regional conflict.
The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei marks a pivotal moment in Iran’s 47-year history as an Islamic Republic. The 56-year-old cleric and son of the slain former Supreme Leader was selected by the Assembly of Experts in a decisive vote, signaling continuity in the country’s hardline policies during a time of intense external pressure.
- Background on the Appointment — Following the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint U.S.-Israeli strikes that ignited the current war, Iran’s clerical body moved swiftly to fill the power vacuum. State television (IRIB) and agencies like Fars, Tasnim, and ISNA confirmed the decision, with widespread pledges of allegiance from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), parliamentarians, and supporters who took to the streets in celebration.
- Who is Mojtaba Khamenei? — Known for his low public profile, Mojtaba Khamenei has built influence within security and clerical circles. He is viewed as a staunch hardliner committed to resisting Western influence and continuing the revolutionary path of his predecessors, Imam Khomeini and his father.
This transition has drawn global attention, with oil prices surging due to fears of prolonged instability in the Middle East, and international leaders — including U.S. President Donald Trump — expressing strong reservations about the choice.