On 28 February 2026, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, was killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting high-ranking Iranian officials around Tehran. It was a moment that shocked the region and sent Iran into a deep political crisis. The country needed a new leader — and fast.
Several members of Mojtaba Khamenei’s immediate family — including his father, mother, wife, and son — were killed in the opening strike on the supreme leader’s compound in Tehran. It was a devastating blow to the family and to Iran’s ruling establishment.
Despite all of this, Mojtaba Khamenei — the second son of the late leader — survived. But he did not come through unharmed.
Israeli security officials believe that Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded in an airstrike carried out during the week. The Israeli assessment confirmed that he was still alive, but had sustained injuries from the strike. His survival was seen as nothing short of remarkable, given the scale of the attacks around him.
Mojtaba Khamenei was considered one of the most likely candidates to replace his father as the new Supreme Leader. According to reports, the IRGC — Iran’s powerful military force — strongly preferred him and even pressured members of the Assembly of Experts to vote for him through in-person meetings and phone calls.
Not everyone agreed with this choice. There was strong opposition from some members of the council, with at least eight members stating they would boycott a second online electoral meeting planned for 5 March. Some felt it was wrong to pass leadership from father to son — calling it a form of “hereditary leadership” in what is supposed to be a religious republic. It is easy to understand why this caused tension. For many, it felt too much like a monarchy in disguise.
On 8 March 2026, the 88-person Assembly of Experts announced that Mojtaba Khamenei was elected Supreme Leader in what they called a “decisive vote.”
Here is a simple look at the key events in a clear timeline:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 28 Feb 2026 | Ali Khamenei assassinated in Israeli airstrikes |
| 1 Mar 2026 | Iranian government confirms his death |
| 3 Mar 2026 | IRGC pressures Assembly to vote for Mojtaba |
| 7 Mar 2026 | Israel confirms Mojtaba was wounded in a strike |
| 8 Mar 2026 | Mojtaba Khamenei officially named Supreme Leader |
Mojtaba Khamenei is seen as holding some of the most hardline views within Iran’s political leadership. Analysts suggest he may lean more heavily on the might of the IRGC than his father did.
US President Donald Trump made his position very clear. He called Mojtaba a “lightweight” and said his selection was “unacceptable,” adding that he would need to be “involved in the appointment.”
Despite being named leader, Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly or issued any statement since the start of the war. The world is now watching closely to see what kind of leader he will become — and whether Iran will push further into conflict or seek a way out.
What is certain is that Iran’s future has entered one of its most uncertain chapters in decades.
