Breaking: Iran appoints Mojtaba Khamenei as successor to his late father as the nation's top spiritual authority

Iran's new Supreme Leader is Mojtaba Khamenei, who has been chosen to succeed his father, Ali Khamenei, according to reports from state media cited by Al Jazeera, following the elder Khamenei's killing.

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The Assembly of Experts, a clerical body responsible for selecting the country's supreme leader under Iran's constitution, made the decision on Sunday and announced it through a statement circulated by state media.

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The Assembly's statement described the vote as "decisive" and called upon citizens to remain united and support the new leader, emphasizing the need for national unity.

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In particular, the statement urged Iranian elites and intellectuals, especially those from seminaries and universities, to pledge allegiance to the leadership and help preserve national unity.

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The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei comes after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who had served as Iran's Supreme Leader since 1989 and was reportedly killed on February 28 during a joint military operation by the United States and Israel.

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Ali Khamenei's death sparked intense speculation over who would succeed him, with Mojtaba Khamenei widely seen as one of the leading contenders despite concerns about the possibility of a hereditary succession.

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Mojtaba Khamenei, a mid-ranking cleric, is believed to have strong ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and has long been regarded as an influential figure behind the scenes in Iran's political structure.

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Before the announcement, Donald Trump publicly expressed opposition to the prospect of Mojtaba becoming Iran's leader, describing him as a "lightweight" and suggesting he should not play a role in determining the country's leadership.

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Under Iran's constitution, the Assembly of Experts holds the authority to appoint the Supreme Leader, who has ultimate control over state policy, the military, and the judiciary.

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Mojtaba Khamenei's appointment marks one of the most significant political transitions in Iran in decades and comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East following the killing of his father.