Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been elected as the new Supreme Leader of Iran. The country's supreme religious council officially announced this. Mojtaba Khamenei's appointment marks the first time in history since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that supreme power has passed from father to son. US President Donald Trump called Mojtaba Khamenei an unacceptable candidate and emphasized that Washington must have a say in Iran's future political direction. Although 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei has not held any elected office until now, he has been active at the center of Iranian power for many years.

Source: The Guardian March 09, 2026 02:56 UTC