Israel Iran US
Israeli security forces inspect a damaged apartment building struck by an Iranian missile in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, March 8, 2026.
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Mojtaba Khamenei, a son of Iran’s slain supreme leader, has been named his successor. He had long been considered a contender, even before an Israeli strike killed his father at the start of the war. He had never been elected or appointed to a government position. U.S. President Donald Trump had called the possible selection of the younger Khamenei unacceptable to succeed his father. There was no immediate White House comment after the announcement by Iran's state TV shortly after midnight Monday. There has been only one other transfer of power in the office of supreme leader since the Islamic Revolution almost a half-century ago.
