Iran’s Assembly of Experts selects Mojtaba Khamenei as new Supreme Leader

Iran’s Assembly of Experts announced on Sunday that Mojtaba Khamenei has been appointed as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, succeeding his late father, Ali Khamenei.

The decision was taken by the 88 clerics who make up the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible under Iran’s constitution for choosing a successor when the position of Supreme Leader becomes vacant.

In a statement issued on Sunday evening, the Assembly called on the Iranian people to preserve national unity and to pledge loyalty to the new Supreme Leader.

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Iranian media circulated what appeared to be a manipulated image, reportedly created with the assistance of Amnesty International, showing Mojtaba Khamenei standing beside his late father, who is depicted sitting on a chair.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, is a cleric who has kept a low public profile for many years and has largely worked behind the scenes in his father’s office.

He is believed to have close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which, according to a report by The New York Times, has strongly backed his selection. Some commentators say this reflects the Guards’ tightening grip on power during the current wartime unrest.

Three Iranian government officials also told The New York Times that the Revolutionary Guards had pushed for his appointment.

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