Iran nominated Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as Supreme Leader on Monday, indicating that hardliners remain in control in Tehran a week into its crisis with the US and Israel.
Mojtaba, a mid-ranking cleric with influence in Iran's security services and enormous economic networks under his father, was seen as a favorite in the lead up to the vote by the assembly, a body of 88 clerics responsible with choosing the next leader following Ali Khamenei.The Assembly of Experts chose Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the third Leader of the holy system of the Islamic Republic of Iran in a decisive vote," the assembly said in a statement issued shortly after midnight Tehran time.

Mojtaba has the final say on all state matters in the Islamic Republic due to his status.
Mojtaba's nomination is expected to irk US President Donald Trump, who stated on Sunday that Washington should have a say in the pick. "If he doesn't get approval from us, he's not going to last long," he said. Prior to the announcement, Israel threatened to target whoever was chosen.
Mojtaba's father, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, was murdered in one of the first strikes against Iran over a week ago.According to Iran's UN ambassador, the attacks by the US and Israel have killed at least 1,332 Iranian citizens and injured thousands more.
As Trump urged for a "unconditional surrender," Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, stated that Tehran was not seeking a cease-fire in the war and would punish aggressors.
Israel continues to target key Iranian figures, including Abolqasem Babaian, the recently appointed head of the supreme leader's military office, who was allegedly killed in a Saturday hit.As warfare escalated on day nine of the US-Israeli campaign against Iran, locals reported heavy black smoke lingered over Tehran on Sunday, following raids on oil storage facilities that lit up the night sky with plumes of orange flame.
Iran's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Esmaeil Baghaei, described the large-scale attack as a "dangerous new phase" of the conflict and a war crime.By targeting fuel depots, the aggressors are spewing harmful compounds and toxic substances into the atmosphere," he wrote on X.
Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokeswoman, told reporters that the facilities were used to fuel Iran's war effort, including the production and storage of ballistic missile propellants. "They are a legal military target," he informed them.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his government would continue the assault and strike Iran's authorities "without mercy". "We have a well-planned strategy with numerous surprises to disrupt the government and allow for change," he added in a video statement.
Axios reports that US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner will visit Israel on Tuesday, citing a senior US official.
Trump stated on Air Force One that he does not want to negotiate an end to the crisis, which has caused global energy costs, business disruptions, and air travel issues."At some point, I don't think there will be anyone left to say, 'We surrender'," he added.