JAKARTA - Iranian state television on Monday announced that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been appointed as his father's successor, amid escalating developments with the United States and Israel.
The young Khamenei, who has not been seen or heard in public since the war began, has long been considered a candidate for the position, even before Israel's attacks killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and although he has never been elected or appointed to a government position.
His appointment comes after signs of divisions among Iranian officials as the country awaits a decision from the Assembly of Experts, a group of clerics who choose the supreme leader. State television read a statement from the assembly saying Mojtaba was chosen by "strong" votes and urged the nation to unite behind him, launching The Associated Press (9/3).
The television station broadcast scenes of people celebrating in parts of Tehran.
It is known that there has only been one change of power in the highest leadership post since the Islamic Revolution almost half a century ago.
The cloistered figure, Khamenei, 56, is now at the heart of Iran's theocracy and will have the final say on all state affairs.
He will serve as the supreme commander of the military and the powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guards. He also has authority over highly enriched uranium supplies that could be used to build nuclear weapons, if he chooses to issue a decree.
Previously, Khamenei's election faced possible criticism from the United States.
"Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me," said US President Donald Trump.
"We want someone who will bring harmony and peace to Iran," he said.
The White House did not immediately respond to AP's request for comment.
Previously, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday stressed that it was the Iranian people who would choose the new Supreme Leader to replace the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, not Donald Trump.
"We do not allow anyone to interfere in our internal affairs. It is up to the Iranian people to choose their new leaders," said Foreign Minister Araghchi "Meet the Press" NBC as reported by Al Arabiya from AFP.
Afterwards, President Trump reiterated his desire to have a role in the election to replace Khamenei.
President Trump told ABC News on Sunday he wants a say in who rules after the war ends; a new leader "won't last long" without his approval.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) issued a statement expressing support for Mojtaba.
Meanwhile, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah shared a portrait of a young Khamenei on Telegram with the caption, "Blessed leader of the Islamic revolution."
Separately, Iran's top security official, Ali Larijani, speaking to state television, praised the Expert Assembly for "bravely" holding the meeting despite the continued air raids on Tehran. He added that the young Khamenei had been trained by his father and "able to handle this situation."
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