The Assembly of Experts has elected Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader of Iran, NOVA reported.
The second son of the assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the Israeli-American strikes is 56 years old. Since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979, this is only the third person in the position - after the Ayatollahs Khomeini and Khamenei.
A week ago, a missile strike in Tehran killed Ali Khamenei and several members of his family. The ayatollah was 86 years old and his possible successor had been discussed while he was still alive.
President Ebrahim Raisi was considered the favorite, but he died in a helicopter crash two years ago. Ali Khamenei's son was also mentioned. But there was thought to be resistance among the ayatollahs because the Islamic Revolution had overthrown the monarchy and a hereditary transfer of power would send the wrong signal.
It is believed that Khamenei Jr. was chosen for two reasons - the weight of his family name and the fact that enemies of the regime killed his father, mother and wife. This puts him closer to the category of "living martyr", which the ayatollahs often use for people who have suffered for the cause.