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Mojtaba Ali Khamenei becomes Iran’s new Supreme Leader

  • USA rejects Iran’s new leader

  • Israel had earlier warned of killing Iran’s new Supreme Leader

Tehran (Iran) – Mojtaba Khamenei (56), son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been appointed as Iran’s new Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts, according to Iran’s official media. An official statement issued on 8 March stated that through a decisive vote, the Assembly of Experts appointed Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the third leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the US-Israel attack on 28 February.

1. In November 2019, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Mojtaba Khamenei. The department had alleged that Mojtaba worked closely with senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps–Qods Force and the Basij Resistance Force to advance his father’s repressive objectives and destabilising regional ambitions. According to reports, Mojtaba owns properties in the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. He was also closely associated with the political rise of hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was elected President of Iran in 2005. Although Mojtaba did not hold any official position, the US had claimed that he often took decisions on behalf of his father.

2. US President Donald Trump termed this decision “unacceptable”. He warned that if the new leader does not receive recognition from the USA, he will not last long. After the death of Ali Khamenei, Israel and the USA had also issued a warning that anyone chosen as Iran’s Supreme Leader without their approval would be hunted down and killed.

China terms selection of Iran’s Supreme Leader an internal matter

Regarding this issue, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the selection of Iran’s Supreme Leader is an internal matter of Iran. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during a press conference that the decision had been taken by Iran in accordance with its Constitution.

On 7 March, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi had called for respect for Iran’s sovereignty and warned against any external interference in its governance. Wang had stated that attempts to change the Government would not receive public support.

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