Reactions and statements from the international community
Murad Wasey, an Iranian national analyst, stated that Mojtaba Khamenei has been officially designated as the new Rahbar by the Majlis-e-Khabarghan under the control of the Sepah, and suggested that he may be targeted and killed by America or Israel.
The United States and Israel have declared that they will remove any Islamic Republic of Iran leader who does not unconditionally surrender. Reports suggest that Mojtaba Khamenei, the current deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is targeted for elimination within days.
The Secretariat of the Assembly of Experts announced on its Telegram channel that Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei has been selected as the third Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran following an extraordinary session where he received a unanimous vote from the Assembly's representatives.
On Monday evening, the Assembly of Experts announced that Mojtaba Khamenei has been designated as the third leader of the Islamic Republic with a unanimous vote from the representatives, despite recent denials from some members about his selection.
According to government media reports, Mojtaba Khamenei has been announced as the leader of the Islamic Republic and successor to his father, Ali Khamenei, in Iran.
In the "Cheshm Andaz" program, Mehdi Mahdavi-Azadi stated that the Islamic Republic has maintained a "sensitive wartime condition" for 47 years, characterized by anti-American and anti-Israel rhetoric, embassy attacks, and support for armed groups. Ali Khamenei has also emphasized that confrontation is preferred over compromise, leading to a crisis-oriented foreign policy.
IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Ella, in a statement to Arabic media, warned the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to leave Lebanon, threatening military action if they do not comply, and stated that Hezbollah and Iran are equivalent threats that must be disarmed.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, acknowledged on Sunday that the number of Iranian missile launches during the current war with the United States and Israel has decreased compared to the 12-day war, citing greater accuracy in fewer launches. Despite this reduction, Iran has rejected a ceasefire, with Ghalibaf stating that the aggressor must be punished.
On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, urging Iran to cease attacks in the region and lift the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Macron also communicated with the Emir of Qatar, the President of Egypt, and the President of Azerbaijan to discuss regional conflicts and potential diplomatic solutions.
Emmanuel Macron, President of France, wrote on the X network that he had spoken with Masoud Pezeshkian to prioritize the security and return of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who are in the French embassy compound in Iran, and demanded that Iran stop attacks on regional countries and guarantee freedom of maritime navigation.
Ali Hosseini Ashkouri, a representative of Gilan in the Assembly of Experts, announced that the body has elected a new leader of the revolution with an absolute majority, confirming that Khamenei will continue as the leader of Iran.
On Saturday, March 7, the Israeli army announced it had targeted and killed Abolqasem Babaeian, a senior military commander and head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in Tehran. Babaeian was also reportedly the head of the military office for the new leader of the Islamic Republic, though this has not been confirmed by Iranian officials.
