Israeli media outlets have reported that Mojtaba has been chosen as the successor to Iran’s Supreme Leader by the country’s Assembly of Experts following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei, who led Iran for 36 years, was killed on February 28 in coordinated strikes carried out by the United States and Israel. According to reports, the attack occurred while he was inside his residential compound. The strikes also claimed the lives of his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. His wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, later died from injuries sustained during the assault.
At the time of his death, Khamenei had not formally announced a successor. In the immediate aftermath, a three-member interim Leadership Council assumed his responsibilities. The council comprises Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei. This interim body was tasked with overseeing the functions of the Supreme Leader’s office until a permanent successor could be selected in accordance with Iran’s constitutional framework.
