Tehran/Jerusalem – Israel has issued a stark warning to Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, declaring him a prime target for assassination just days after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a US-Israel airstrike.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated bluntly: “Any leader selected by the Iranian terror regime to continue leading the plan for Israel’s destruction… will be a certain target for assassination, no matter his name or where he hides.” The threat underscores the spiralling conflict that has gripped the Middle East since Khamenei’s death on Saturday.
Iranian state media confirmed late Tuesday that Mojtaba, 56, the second-eldest son of the late Ayatollah, was chosen by the Assembly of Experts as the Islamic Republic’s new Supreme Leader. Reports from opposition outlet Iran International claim the decision came under heavy pressure from Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), with which Mojtaba has deep ties. Unlike his father, Mojtaba is not a senior cleric and holds no formal government role, raising questions about the regime’s stability.
The announcement follows the postponement of Ayatollah Khamenei’s state funeral in Tehran, originally slated for a three-day event starting Wednesday. State broadcaster IRIB cited “unprecedented anticipated turnout” for the delay, but security sources and exiled Iranian analysts point to credible threats, including potential Israeli strikes. Preparations, including massive crowd setups in Tehran, were scrapped overnight.
Khamenei’s martyrdom was announced Sunday by Tasnim News Agency, which detailed a “cowardly attack” at his office in the Leader’s House during early Saturday hours. US President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social that the killing resulted from coordinated US-Israel operations, marking a dramatic escalation. Reuters reports the strikes also targeted IRGC facilities, killing several commanders.
Background on the Crisis
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, had led Iran since 1989, overseeing its nuclear programme, proxy militias like Hezbollah and the Houthis, and anti-Israel rhetoric. His assassination—allegedly aided by Mossad intelligence, including years of hacked Tehran traffic cameras (per Israel Hayom)—comes amid broader regional clashes. Recent drone attacks have hit US sites in Dubai and Riyadh, which Iran denies orchestrating.
The Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body elected for eight-year terms, is constitutionally tasked with selecting the Supreme Leader. Critics argue Mojtaba’s rise signals IRGC dominance, potentially sparking internal dissent. Protests have erupted in Manchester and Tehran suburbs, per BBC monitoring.
Global Ripples
Oil prices surged 5% Monday on fears of Strait of Hormuz disruptions, impacting Nigeria’s petroleum imports. Analysts warn of retaliatory strikes on Gulf allies, with implications for West African energy security.
Iran’s football team, meanwhile, saluted the anthem at the Asia Cup after an initial protest, signalling regime pressure on public loyalty.
As Tehran braces, the world watches: Will Mojtaba consolidate power, or ignite all-out war?
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