Iran's Assembly of Experts announced on March 9, 2026, the election of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country's third supreme leader, marking a pivotal transition in the Islamic Republic's leadership. The 56-year-old son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei received formal recognition from both the clerical body and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which swiftly pledged allegiance.
Born in 1969 in Mashhad, Mojtaba Khamenei joined the IRGC during the Iran-Iraq War and later pursued religious studies in Qom. Despite never holding public office, he has been described in leaked U.S. diplomatic cables as "the power behind the robes" due to his decades-long role as a key advisor to his father. Analysts note his deep involvement in state affairs and military coordination, including ties to the late Qasem Soleimani and Lebanon's Hezbollah.
His low public profile contrasts with reported influence across Iran's political and security apparatus. The appointment comes amid heightened regional tensions, with observers closely watching how his leadership will shape Iran's domestic policies and international alliances.
