• Mojtaba Khamenei named new Supreme Leader of Iran after his father's killing.
• The appointment follows intense U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran.
• He is expected to maintain hardline policies linked to the Revolutionary Guard.
• International reactions are cautious, with threats from Israel against any successor.
• Mojtaba has significant influence despite lacking a formal government position.

Mojtaba Khamenei has been appointed as the new Supreme Leader of Iran by the Assembly of Experts following the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes. This decision marks a significant moment in Iranian politics, as the leadership transitions under high-stakes wartime conditions in the Middle East, where tensions have escalated rapidly. The Assembly of Experts is comprised of 88 clerics that oversee the leadership selection process, asserting Mojtaba's role amidst the nation's crisis, according to Al Jazeera, BBC, and Dawn.

Mojtaba Khamenei, born on September 8, 1969, in Mashhad, is the son of the late Supreme Leader and has long been seen as a key figure within Iran’s ruling establishment due to his ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His ascent to power has raised concerns among observers of political lineage and governance in a system that theoretically rejects hereditary succession—a principle established following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The IRGC has been a longstanding pillar of support for Mojtaba, who has maintained a low profile, rarely seen in public and noted for his role as a behind-the-scenes influencer, according to SCMP and Times of India.

The Israeli military has issued explicit threats against the new leadership, stating they will "not hesitate to target" Mojtaba Khamenei upon his transition, further complicating existing tensions in the region. U.S. President Donald Trump has previously labeled Mojtaba "unacceptable," insisting that without U.S. approval, he would be unable to sustain his position as Supreme Leader for long, according to Channel News Asia and AA.

Mojtaba's appointment follows a trying period for Iran, which has faced increasing internal upheaval and external conflict following the death of his father. Observers believe that his leadership will focus on maintaining the hardline approach characteristic of his father's regime, aiming to solidify power amid external pressures and a pervasive security state, according to India Times, Le Monde, and Reuters.