The Iranian government has released a video statement of the newly selected supreme leader, Mojtaba Ali Khamenei, son of Syed Ali Khamenei.
According to his video message, posted on X, he said, “In the name of Allah, greetings to the brave people of Iran who stay strong in hard times.”
He further said, “Today, I take on the leadership of this great nation to follow the path of our martyrs and free our people from bondage.”
“We will fight until the last among us to repel the brutal aggressions of the West. Stay strong, for victory is on your side, and our will shall never be broken”, said Mojtaba Khamenei.
What had been reported earlier?
Israeli media had first reported that Mojtaba Khamenei had been elected as Iran’s new Supreme Leader. Some Arab outlets carried similar reports.
However, Iranian officials said that the process of selecting a Supreme Leader follows a constitutional procedure and cannot be completed without formal steps.
They had stated that any decision would come after official consultations and voting.
How is the Supreme Leader selected?
In Iran, the Supreme Leader is chosen by the 88-member Assembly of Experts.
The process usually begins with private consultations among members. These discussions are held confidentially.
After consultations, the Assembly holds a vote. The voting is done through a secret ballot. The candidate who receives a majority of votes is selected as Supreme Leader.
Some reports suggested that, due to the security situation, consultations had taken place through online meetings. However, there was no detailed official confirmation about the method of voting.
During the period of uncertainty, reports said a temporary three-member committee was handling key state matters.
This committee included the President, the Chief Justice and the head of the Assembly of Experts. They were said to be overseeing administrative and security decisions until clarity emerged on the leadership issue.
Legal requirements
Iran’s constitution, under Article 109, sets clear conditions for becoming the Supreme Leader.
The candidate must have strong religious qualifications, including high-level Islamic scholarship. The person must also have political understanding, leadership ability and management skills.
Officials said that, regardless of media reports, the constitutional process must be followed before any formal announcement is made.
For now, Iranian authorities have continued to monitor the situation while maintaining that any leadership decision will be made through the established legal procedure.
Also read: How to apply for PM Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme 2026?
