Mojtaba Khamenei’s Rise Signals Continuity as Iran Faces War

Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has never held a formal government position. Yet his elevation to the country’s highest authority — amid war with the United States and Israel — was widely anticipated inside Iran’s political establishment.

The 56-year-old cleric was appointed by Iran’s Assembly of Experts on Sunday, just over a week after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in US-Israeli strikes.

Despite his limited official résumé, Mojtaba Khamenei has long been viewed as a powerful behind-the-scenes figure with close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and his father’s influential office. Within Iran, he is widely seen as a hardliner likely to preserve the existing direction of the Islamic Republic.

His appointment also carried symbolic weight. Coming after strikes that killed both his father and his wife, the decision was interpreted by many observers as a message of defiance — a signal that Iran’s leadership structure intends to continue largely unchanged even as the country faces one of the most severe crises in its 47-year history.

Domestically, support for the new leader emerged quickly. Senior figures including IRGC commanders, President Masoud Pezeshkian and Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, publicly backed the appointment.

Outside Iran, reactions varied widely.

Oman

Oman, which had recently acted as a mediator in talks between Iran and the United States before the conflict erupted, responded with a diplomatic gesture.

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said sent a “cable of congratulations” to Mojtaba Khamenei on Monday, according to the Oman News Agency.

Iraq

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also welcomed the appointment.

“We express our confidence in the ability of the new leadership in the Islamic Republic of Iran to manage this sensitive stage, and continue to strengthen the unity of the Iranian people in facing the current challenges,” al-Sudani said.

He also reaffirmed Iraq’s solidarity with Iran and called for an end to military operations against the country’s sovereignty.

United States

Washington’s response was far less supportive.

US President Donald Trump had previously dismissed Mojtaba Khamenei as a “lightweight” and insisted that Washington should have a role in determining Iran’s leadership — a suggestion Tehran rejected.

After the appointment was confirmed, Trump criticised the decision.

“I think they made a big mistake. I don’t know if it’s going to last. I think they made a mistake,” he told NBC News.

Later, in comments to CBS News, Trump declined to address the new leader directly.

“I have no message for him.”

Trump added that he had someone in mind to lead Iran but did not provide further details.

Israel

Israel responded with some of the strongest criticism.

The Israeli military has already warned that any successor to the late Ali Khamenei could be targeted.

In a statement on Monday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry described Mojtaba Khamenei as continuing the legacy of his father.

In a post on X that included an image of Mojtaba and Ali Khamenei holding guns, the ministry wrote: “Mojtaba Khamenei. Like Father Like Son”.

“Mojtaba Khamenei’s hands are already stained with the bloodshed that defined his father’s rule. Another tyrant to continue the Iranian regime’s brutality,” the ministry said.

Russia

Russia signalled strong backing for Iran’s leadership transition.

President Vladimir Putin sent a message to the new leader pledging support.

“I would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends,” Putin said.

He added that “Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner” to Iran.

“At a time when Iran is confronting armed aggression, your tenure in this high position will undoubtedly require great courage and dedication,” Putin said.

China

China also defended Iran’s right to determine its leadership.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the appointment had been made in accordance with Iran’s constitutional system.

“China opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs under any pretext, and Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected,” he said.

Beijing, a close partner of Tehran, had earlier condemned the killing of the elder Khamenei but also criticised Iranian retaliatory strikes against Gulf states.

Yemen’s Houthis

The Houthi movement in Yemen welcomed the decision.

“We congratulate the Islamic Republic of Iran, its leadership and people, on the selection of Sayyid Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution at this important and pivotal juncture,” the group said.

The statement described the appointment as “a new victory for the Islamic Revolution and a resounding blow to the enemies of the Islamic Republic and the enemies of the nation”.