‘Death to Mojtaba’ chants heard in Tehran after Khamenei's son named Iran’s new supreme leader | Watch

Mojtaba Khamenei

• Mojtaba Khamenei named Iran's new supreme leader amid unrest
• Tehran residents chanted "Death to Mojtaba" before his appointment.
• Regional conflict raises oil prices and disrupts energy supplies

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Residents in Tehran’s Ekbatan neighbourhood were heard chanting “death to Mojtaba” from their windows early on Monday, shortly before Iran’s Assembly of Experts announced Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, according to a video circulating on social media.

The appointment follows the death of Iran’s long-time leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 during the opening phase of the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel.

People chanted “Death to Mojtaba” from their windows in Tehran’s Ekbatan neighborhood early Monday shortly before Iran's Assembly of Experts announced Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, according to a video shared on social media. pic.twitter.com/nEiM7x7AbM

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) March 8, 2026

Iran’s Assembly of Experts selected Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, a cleric known for his close ties to the paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as the new supreme leader.

Mojtaba Khamenei had long been considered a contender for the role despite never holding an elected or formally appointed government position. His elevation has drawn criticism from sections of Iranian society and some political figures, who argue that the move resembles a hereditary transfer of power similar to the monarchy that ruled Iran before the Iranian Revolution.

Authorities have not commented on the chants reported from Ekbatan.

Mojtaba Khamenei takes charge at a time of escalating regional conflict. Iran has widened its attacks across the Middle East, targeting oil and water facilities in Gulf states. The Revolutionary Guard has launched missiles and drones at Israel and several Gulf Arab countries since Ali Khamenei’s death.

The conflict has unsettled global energy markets, pushing oil prices above USD 100 a barrel and tightening natural gas supplies after QatarEnergy halted production.

As Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei now commands the country’s armed forces and will play a key role in decisions related to its nuclear programme. Although several nuclear facilities were damaged in US airstrikes during the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June, Iran is still believed to possess highly enriched uranium close to weapons-grade levels.

Israel has described Mojtaba Khamenei as a potential target. US President Donald Trump has also criticised his elevation.

“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” Trump said. He told ABC News on Sunday that any new Iranian leader “is not going to last long” without his approval.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah have expressed support for the new supreme leader. Senior Iranian official Ali Larijani said the Assembly of Experts “courageously” convened despite ongoing airstrikes and added that Mojtaba Khamenei “can handle this situation”.

The broader conflict has killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, 397 in Lebanon and 11 in Israel, according to officials. Seven US service members have also been killed, including one who died of injuries sustained in an Iranian attack on troops in Saudi Arabia on March 1.

As hostilities continue, several US diplomatic missions across the region have ordered nonessential staff and families to leave. Gulf nations have also reported attacks on oil and desalination facilities, raising concerns about energy supplies and regional stability.