As supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei now holds lifetime authority over Iran’s armed forces, judiciary, and political system|Mahmoud Hosseini|CC BY 4.0
An Iranian clerical council yesterday appointed the second-born son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the country’s new supreme leader.
The move defies criticism from President Donald Trump of his appointment and signals that Tehran will continue its confrontational stance toward the West.
Last week, Trump had warned against electing Mojtaba Khamenei, saying he would be “unacceptable.”
The 56-year-old cleric is known for his close ties with Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which quickly pledged loyalty to him along with the national army. Soon after his appointment, Iran launched missiles toward Israel, according to state media.
His appointment also marks the first hereditary transfer of power since the Iranian Revolution.
As supreme leader, he now holds lifetime authority over Iran’s armed forces, judiciary, and political system while leading a country of about 90 million people facing sanctions, economic crisis, and regional tensions.
Bahrain said an Iranian drone strike hit a desalination plant providing vital drinking water, as US Central Command confirmed a seventh service member died from March 1 injuries.