Khamenei's son Mojtaba elected as Iran's new Supreme Leader

Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, eldest son of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has been elected as the country’s new Supreme Leader, according to international media reports citing Israeli sources. Iran’s Assembly of Experts confirmed his selection.

The leadership change follows the reported death of Ayatollah Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli airstrike, codenamed Operation Epic Fury, on February 28. He had led Iran for 36 years. His death has triggered major political uncertainty inside the country.

Reports say Khamenei was at his residence during the strike. His daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter were also killed. His wife, Mansoureh Khojaste Bagherzadeh, was seriously injured and later died in hospital.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Khamenei will be buried in the holy city of Mashhad after a state funeral in Tehran. The burial date has not yet been announced.

Ayatollah Khamenei had not publicly named a successor. After his death, a three-member interim council took charge, including Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei. The Assembly of Experts later voted to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader.

The reported US-Israeli strikes targeted both military and civilian sites. Local reports say a passenger aircraft at Bushehr airport was destroyed. The attacks followed stalled nuclear negotiations and rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Iran responded within hours. Missiles were launched toward several locations in the Persian Gulf region, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Bahrain, escalating regional tensions. US President Donald Trump warned that Iran had “passed the time to negotiate to avoid war.” Meanwhile, Israeli forces expanded operations in Lebanon against the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

On the fourth day of the conflict, a drone strike reportedly hit the US consulate in Dubai, causing a fire. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said all embassy staff were safe.

The Middle East now faces deep uncertainty. Iran is mourning its long-time leader while regional conflict continues to spread, raising global concern.