Iran’s Assembly of Experts has named Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the new head of state, according to multiple Iranian state media outlets.
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, “is appointed and introduced as the third leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, based on the decisive vote of the respected representatives of the Assembly of Experts,” the clerical body said in a statement.
It said that the clerical body “did not hesitate for a minute” in choosing a new leader, despite “the brutal aggression of the criminal America and the evil Zionist regime.”
In an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed international calls for a ceasefire, saying the country must “continue fighting for the sake of our people.” He declined to comment on whether Russia has been providing intelligence assistance to Tehran.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military reported the death of another service member in combat, raising the total number of American troops killed to seven.
