Tehran, March 9 -- Mojtaba Khamenei has been named Iran's new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in US and Israeli strikes earlier in the conflict that began on Feb 28. His appointment comes as the country faces one of the most serious crises in its modern history.
Iranian state television announced the decision early Monday, citing a statement from the Assembly of Experts, the 88-member clerical body responsible for selecting the Supreme Leader. The announcement was made shortly after midnight and came amid mounting tensions both inside Iran and across the region.
The selection of 56-year-old cleric followed the established constitutional procedure rather than a hereditary transfer of power, although his fami...