TEHRAN — Iran's Assembly of Experts has reached a consensus on the successor for the Supreme Leader position after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an airstrike in Tehran on February 28, 2026. According to Iranian media, an official decision on the successor could be announced within 24 hours. Some sources suggest that Mojtaba Khamenei, Khamenei's son, has emerged as the leading candidate. Several clerics in the assembly stated that selection criteria include being "not accepted by the West," viewing it as a sign that the candidate aligns with the Iranian government's path. President Trump previously declared that the U.S. would not recognize Mojtaba Khamenei if he becomes the Supreme Leader. President Trump stated that the U.S. hopes for a future Iranian leader who promotes regional stability and peace. Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and is considered a highly influential figure among the Iranian clergy, despite never having held an official government position. In the past, Mojtaba Khamenei was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2019 on allegations of supporting the political and security activities of the Iranian regime. Mojtaba's name also appeared in critical slogans by Iranian protesters following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, an event that sparked a massive nationwide protest wave. The Assembly of Experts is currently considering how to announce the final decision as Iran continues to face airstrikes by the U.S.-Israel coalition.

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