Mojtaba Khamenei is Iran's new Supreme Leader amid war with Israel

Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei becomes Iran's new Supreme Leader, sparking celebrations. The IRGC and military pledged allegiance. His appointment follows his father's death in a strike, amid a war with Israel that has killed over 1,300 in Iran.

Celebrations erupted across Iran as hundreds of people took to the streets of the country after Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the late Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was announced as the new Supreme Leader of Iran, Press TV reported on Monday. His selection saw support pour in from various segments of Iran, with the IRGC and General Staff of the Armed Forces pledging support to Mojtaba Khamenei.

People turned on the streets in large numbers, expressing their happiness after Iran's Assembly of Experts appointed Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Leader of the Islamic Republic Iranians express joy and happiness after Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei was named the new Leader of the Islamic Republic. Follow https://t.co/B3zXG73Jym pic.twitter.com/cb9ymv3QJq — Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 8, 2026 Millions of Iranians across the country pledge allegiance to Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution. Follow https://t.co/B3zXG73Jym pic.twitter.com/naEsy7ODq3 — Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 8, 2026

Key Institutions Pledge Allegiance

Upon the announcement, Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani called for unity behind the new leader and expressed hope for Iran's development under his leadership, Press TV reported.

🔺 Larijani called for unity behind the new Leader to manage wartime conditions and achieve victory, expressing hope for Iran's development and increased welfare under his leadership. — Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 8, 2026

Iran's Parliament speaker called Mojtaba Khamenei's selection a "soothing balm", it further reported. Meanwhile, Press TV also reported that the IRGC and Iran's General Staff of the Armed Forces pledged its support to the newly elected supreme leader.

In a statement, Iran's IRGC pledged its "complete obedience and self-sacrifice" to the new Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei. Follow https://t.co/B3zXG73Jym pic.twitter.com/LUR6mYTcf0 — Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 8, 2026

The IRGC voiced its full support for the Assembly of Experts' decision, vowing to protect the values of the Islamic Revolution and safeguard the legacy of the revolution's founders, the late Ayatollah Khomeini and the late Ayatollah Khamenei. — Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 8, 2026

Iran's General Staff of the Armed Forces has issued a statement declaring its full allegiance to the new Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei. Follow https://t.co/B3zXG73Jym pic.twitter.com/yfU2O5YtkG — Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 8, 2026

Khamenei's official X account posted on X, "The representatives of the Assembly of Experts appointed and introduced Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei (may God protect him) as the Third Leader of the Sacred Islamic Republic of Iran under Article 108 of the Constitution."

The representatives of the Assembly of Experts appointed and introduced Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei (may God protect him) as the Third Leader of the Sacred Islamic Republic of Iran under Article 108 of the Constitution. pic.twitter.com/gZgvEI7Ds2 — Khamenei Media (@Khamenei_m) March 8, 2026

Succession Amidst Escalating War with Israel

Shortly after his name was announced, Press TV said that Iran launched two waves of missiles at Israel. As per the Jerusalem Post, the missile fragments hit central Israel, injuring one. The developments follow amid escalating tensions in West Asia after a joint US-Israel military strike on February 28 on Iranian territory resulted in the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures, prompting a fierce response from Tehran.

In retaliation, Iran launched waves of drone and missile attacks across multiple Arab countries. Now in its 9th day, the conflict has seen the humanitarian toll in Iran continuing to rise.

Mounting Humanitarian Toll

According to Al Jazeera, the scale of the devastation is mounting, with official figures revealing that "over 1,300 people have been killed" since the violence began.

The intensification of the fighting is such that "around 100,000 have been displaced", as residents are "forcing many to flee their homes" in search of safety. This mass movement of people has overwhelmed relief efforts, as the UN refugee agency reports a "surge in urgent calls for assistance" to address the growing needs of the affected population.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)