Khamenei’s son becomes Iran’s new supreme leader

Iran has a new supreme leader. On Monday, the Assembly of Experts elected cleric Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the slain leader Ali Khamenei, confirming the regime’s continued hard line.

Mojtaba Khamenei has long been considered the favourite. According to available information, he wields strong influence within security structures and across extensive economic networks linked to the regime.

US President Donald Trump said Washington should have the right to comment on the choice of Iran’s leader. Israel, meanwhile, warned even before the announcement that any new Iranian leader would be a ‘target for elimination’.

Trump reacted cautiously after the election of the new leader, saying only that ‘we’ll see what happens.’ He also said that ending the war would be a ‘mutual’ decision with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

(reuters, pir)