09.03.2026 11:41
On March 8, Mojtaba Khamenei was elected as the new religious leader by the Assembly of Experts, following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the attacks by Israel and the USA on February 28, 2026. Old footage emerged of Mojtaba going to the Iran-Iraq war front when he was 17 years old.
The war that began with the attacks by Israel and the USA on Iran on February 28, 2026, entered a critical phase with the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. On the first day of the attack, Khamenei was killed, and his son Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen as the new religious leader.
A NEW LEADER WAS CHOSEN IN PLACE OF HIS FATHER Other members of the Khamenei family and many high-ranking officials also lost their lives in the attacks. A 40-day mourning period and a 7-day official holiday were declared in Iran, and on March 8, 2026, the Assembly of Experts officially announced Mojtaba Khamenei as the new leader. Thus, Mojtaba became Iran's third religious leader.
Mojtaba Khamenei's armed pose was published. OLD IMAGES EMERGED The shared images show that Mojtaba Khamenei went to the front lines at the age of 17 during his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's presidency, during the Iran-Iraq war from 1980 to 1988. The images reveal the Khamenei family's stance during the war and show that Mojtaba was involved in the political and military process at an early age.
THE FINAL DECISION-MAKER While the President of Iran has limited powers, the religious leader holds authority over all state organs. The leader has the final say in domestic and foreign policy decisions, is recognized as the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces, and serves as a guide. The leader is elected by the 88-member Assembly of Experts; candidates are mostly selected from among those identified by the leader and can participate in the election with the approval of the Guardian Council.
THE USA IS NOT VERY PLEASED WITH THE SITUATION US President Donald Trump had previously made statements regarding Mojtaba Khamenei's leadership and described the situation as "unacceptable." Trump stated, "I do not want an Iranian leader who will continue Khamenei's policies and force the USA into war again within five years."