US-Israel, Iran conflict: Tehran picks new supreme leader as war rages on, report says; name not revealed yet
Iran’s Assembly of Experts said it has chosen the country’s next supreme leader but has not revealed the name yet after the death of Ali Khamenei in US-Israel strikes. Speculation surrounds Mojtaba Khamenei, while Donald Trump said he would oppose his succession.
Iran's Assembly of Experts on Sunday (local time) said that the 88-member body has reached a decision regarding the country's next supreme leader, without naming the selected candidate, CNN reported.
The development comes days after Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in strikes launched by the United States and Israel on 28 February, targeting key military and naval forces in Tehran. Along with Khamenei, several other clerics and ministers have also been killed in the conflict, which has now entered its ninth day.
Iran gets a new supreme leader?
Citing a senior cleric in the 88-member Assembly of Experts, the report said, "The elections for the leadership have been held, and the leader has been appointed." The cleric, Ahmad Alam al-Hoda, also said that rumours claiming the Assembly of Experts had not yet made a decision were "pure lies."
The announcement of the decision is up to the Assembly's Secretariat, which is headed by Hosseini Bushehri, Alam al-Hoda added. According to the ISNA news agency, Heidari, who is also a member of the Assembly, said the "best option," approved by the majority of the Assembly of Experts, has been chosen.
Is Mojtaba Khamenei the new supreme leader?
While the Assembly of Experts did not reveal the name of the next supreme leader, it hinted that the person may be someone previously mentioned by the "Great Satan," referring to the US. The Assembly's Secretariat head said, "Notably, even the ‘Great Satan’ has referred to the name of the individual selected by the representatives."
Hardline clerics in Iran frequently refer to the United States as the “Great Satan.” Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said it would be unacceptable if Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, were to succeed him.
Trump wants a 'great, acceptable' leader for Iran
A BBC report said that Trump wants a "great and acceptable" leader for Iran after the country's "unconditional surrender." His remarks appear to suggest that his current goal for Iran is not regime change, but a change in its regime.
It has also been reported that Trump has made up his mind regarding Ali Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was being considered the front-runner to succeed his father. The US President said, "Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me."
How is the supreme leader chosen?
According to Iran's Constitution, the country's supreme leader is appointed by the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body elected by the public every eight years. Once the position becomes vacant, the Assembly begins deliberating over the next candidate and chooses a successor by a simple majority vote.
In the meantime, a provisional three-member leadership council, also known as the Interim Leadership Council, is formed. It assumes the roles and responsibilities of the supreme leader until a successor is officially appointed.
Israel issues a warning against the next supreme leader
According to a report, the Israeli Defense Forces issued a warning that they will continue to pursue every successor and every person who seeks to appoint Khamenei's successor.
"We want to tell you that the hand of the State of Israel will continue to pursue every successor and every person who seeks to appoint a successor," the Israeli military said.
About the Author
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.