TEHRAN - In a historic and controversial transition, Iranian State Television and the Assembly of Experts announced early Monday, March 9, 2026 , that Mojtaba Khamenei has been appointed as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.
The 56-year-old cleric succeeds his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28.
This marks the first time since the 1979 Revolution that the supreme authority has passed from father to son, effectively establishing a hereditary succession in a system originally designed to reject monarchy.
1. The Appointment: A “Decisive” Vote Under Pressure
The 88-member Assembly of Experts reportedly reached a “majority consensus” late Sunday night.
- IRGC Influence: Reports suggest the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) exerted significant pressure on the Assembly to finalize the appointment quickly to maintain stability during the ongoing war.
- Pledge of Allegiance: Immediately following the announcement, the IRGC issued a statement of “complete obedience and self-sacrifice” to the new Ayatollah.
- Immediate Action: Within hours of his appointment, Iran reportedly launched a fresh wave of missile strikes toward Israel, signaling a continuation of his father’s hardline stance.
2. The “Shadow Empire”: Hidden Wealth and Global Assets
While Iranian state media portrays the Khamenei family as living a life of “pious simplicity,” a recent Bloomberg investigation has highlighted a massive, covert financial network linked to Mojtaba.
- Billionaires’ Row: Mojtaba is allegedly linked to a luxury property portfolio in London worth over £100 million ($138 million), including 11 villas on the exclusive Bishops Avenue.
- Global Footprint: The network reportedly includes hotels in Germany (Frankfurt) and Spain (Mallorca), a shopping center in Oberhausen, and a luxury villa in Dubai's Emirates Hills.
- Financial Intermediaries: Much of the wealth is reportedly managed through construction magnate Ali Ansari and routed through offshore accounts in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the UAE.
3. U.S. and Israel: “Target for Elimination”
The international response has been swift and hostile, further escalating the risk of an all-out regional conflagration.
- Trump's Rejection: President Donald Trump dismissed the appointment, calling Mojtaba a “lightweight” and “unacceptable.” Trump has insisted that the U.S. must have a role in selecting a leader who will bring “harmony and peace.”
- IDF Warning: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued a stark warning on social media: “The hand of Israel will continue to pursue every successor… we will not hesitate to target you.” * Operation Lion’s Roar: Israeli officials confirmed that Mojtaba is now an “unequivocal target for elimination” as part of their ongoing strategic operations.
| Feature | Details |
| Age | 56 |
| Previous Role | Informal Chief of Staff to Ali Khamenei; liaison to the IRGC. |
| Sanctions Status | Sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2019 for “destabilizing regional ambitions.” |
| Political Stance | Described by analysts as more hard-line than his father. |
| Net Worth Est. | Unofficial estimates suggest control over billions in state/family assets. |