Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been selected as Iran’s new supreme leader, the Assembly of Experts announced on Sunday.

In a statement following an extraordinary session, the assembly confirmed Mojtaba Khamenei’s election as the country’s third supreme leader, citing “the decisive vote of the respected representatives.”

“In today’s extraordinary session, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei … is appointed and introduced as the third leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the statement said.

Born in 1969, Mojtaba Khamenei is the second son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed along with several family members, senior military commanders, and civilians in joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and other cities on February 28, 2026.

The surprise strikes targeted key Iranian strategic sites and leadership locations.

Iran responded with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks against Israel and U.S. military assets across the Middle East, escalating the conflict into a broader regional crisis.

The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei comes at a highly volatile moment for Iran, with the country engaged in active hostilities and facing significant internal and external pressures.

No immediate official reaction has been issued from the United States, Israel, or other major powers regarding the succession announcement.

The Assembly of Experts, a constitutional body of 88 clerics, is responsible for selecting, supervising, and — if necessary — removing the supreme leader under Iran’s system of governance.

Mojtaba Khamenei, who has long been viewed as a potential successor, has held influential behind-the-scenes roles in clerical, security, and political circles but has not previously held formal public office.

The transition occurs amid ongoing military exchanges and international calls for de-escalation, with fears that the leadership change could further harden Iran’s position or open space for internal power realignments.

Further details on the swearing-in ceremony, any policy statements, or immediate changes in command structures are expected in the coming days.