After more than a week of intense bombardment and precision airstrikes by the US and Israel, Iran’s competing power blocs have settled on a new figure to lead the country. His first steps, however, suggest the conflict is still far from resolution.
Over the weekend, Iran’s “Assembly of Experts” — a body described as bringing together the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) alongside a range of political factions — convened to choose a successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. He was reportedly killed in a strike on the opening day of the war, February 28.
The groups that toppled Iran’s monarchy in 1979 selected Khamenei’s second son, 56-year-old Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, to take his place. Following the announcement, the country’s defense council declared: “We will obey the commander-in-chief until the last drop of our blood.”
Widely portrayed as more hardline than his father, the new supreme leader quickly made a move designed to project strength. State media circulated images showing him signing a missile bearing the message “At your service, Sayyid Mojtaba,” which was then launched toward Israel.
US President Donald Trump has already indicated strong opposition to Mojtaba’s rise. Earlier last week, he described Mojtaba as an “unacceptable” choice and suggested any leader would be “not going to last long” without US approval.
In remarks to Fox and Friends on Sunday, Trump said he was “not happy” about the new Ayatollah Khamenei. He later told the Times of Israel that “we’ll see what happens” regarding the appointment.
Trump also defended the US-Israel campaign against Iran, arguing that “Iran was going to destroy Israel and everything else around it,” and said the fighting would only stop following a “mutual” decision made with Israel.
The selection of Mojtaba — whose wife was reportedly killed in the same strike as his father — has undercut hopes of a rapid diplomatic opening. Observers say the choice points toward continuity, rather than a shift aimed at compromise.
Mojtaba Khamenei is also understood to have closer ties to the IRGC, the militant-aligned power center shaping much of Iran’s wartime posture.
The IRGC — formed after the 1979 revolution as a parallel military force tasked with protecting Iran’s clerical leadership — said it would “fully obey and sacrifice for the divine commands” of the new leader. It also vowed to “maintain the values of the Islamic revolution and safeguard the legacies,” following his elevation.
Reaction inside Iran has appeared divided. Images shared by state broadcasters showed crowds in Tehran gathering in large numbers in public squares to express support.
At the same time, reports emerging despite an internet shutdown that has lasted more than a week suggest others view Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as more of the same, rather than meaningful change.
“Death to Mojtaba,” could be heard being shouted from residential tower blocks after the appointment was broadcast to the public via mass text alert, according to mobile phone footage shared with the BBC.
One Iranian, identified by the broadcaster as a Tehran resident in his 30s, expressed little optimism about what comes next. “Even the thinnest of chances for a change are no more within the system,” he said.
“So, everything will remain much the same; they don’t even need to change their chants to support the [new leader].”