Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei Elected as Iran’s Third Supreme Leader”
Iran’s Assembly of Experts swiftly appoints Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Leader, condemning U.S.–Zionist aggression and calling for unity under Wilayat al-Faqih.
Iran, PUREWILAYAH.COM — Iran’s Assembly of Experts announced the election of Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the third Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, following the martyrdom of Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei during the ongoing war against Iran.
In a statement addressed to the Iranian nation, the Assembly expressed condolences over the martyrdom of Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei and other victims of the war, including senior commanders of the armed forces and students from the Shajarat Tayyiba School in the southern city of Minab.
The statement also condemned what it described as the “savage aggression of the criminal United States and the wicked Zionist regime.”
Assembly Acts Immediately Amid War
According to the statement, the Assembly of Experts moved quickly after the announcement of the martyrdom of Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei to ensure that the Islamic Republic would not face a leadership vacuum.
The Assembly emphasized that the process continued despite severe wartime conditions and direct attacks targeting the institution.
“Immediately after the news of the martyrdom and heavenly ascension of the wise and sagacious Leader of the Islamic Revolution was announced… the Assembly did not delay even for a moment in the process of selecting and introducing the leadership of the Islamic system.”
The statement added that the work of the Assembly continued despite enemy threats and attacks.
“Despite the severe wartime conditions and the direct threats of the enemies against this popular institution, and despite the bombing of the secretariat offices of the Assembly of Experts… the Assembly did not delay even for a moment in the process of selecting and introducing the leadership of the Islamic system.”
The bombing of the Secretariat offices resulted in the martyrdom of several staff members and members of the institution’s security team.
Emergency Session Convened
The Assembly said it organized an extraordinary meeting in accordance with constitutional procedures in order to prevent any interruption in the leadership of the Islamic Republic.
“In accordance with the duties stipulated in the Constitution and the internal regulations of the Assembly of Experts, the necessary measures and preparations were immediately placed on the agenda in order to hold an extraordinary session to introduce the new Leader.”
The statement explained that coordination was carried out to gather the Assembly’s representatives from across the country despite the ongoing war.
“Appropriate planning and coordination were carried out to gather the honorable representatives of this Assembly who are present across different parts of the country so that the country would not face a leadership vacuum.”
Commitment to Wilayat al-Faqih
The Assembly reaffirmed the central role of Wilayat al-Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist) as the foundation of the Islamic Republic’s political system.
“The Assembly of Experts for Leadership, while honoring the lofty position of Wilayat al-Faqih during the era of the occultation of Imam al-Mahdi… commemorates the 47 years of wise governance based on the principles of dignity, independence, and power under the two leaders of the Islamic Revolution.”
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei Named Third Leader
Following what the Assembly described as extensive deliberations, its members elected Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the new Leader.
“In accordance with its religious duty and with the conviction of standing in the presence of Almighty God… the Assembly determined and introduced Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the third Leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The Assembly concluded its statement by calling on the Iranian people to unite around the new leadership.
“The Assembly calls upon all the noble people of Iran, especially the intellectuals and scholars of the seminaries and universities, to pledge allegiance to the leadership and preserve unity around the axis of Wilayat.”
Full Text of the Statement by the Assembly of Experts for Leadership
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
To the noble and free people of the Islamic Republic of Iran, may the greetings and blessings of God be upon you.
The Assembly of Experts for Leadership, while expressing its condolences for the martyrdom of the great leader, Grand Ayatollah Imam Khamenei (may Allah sanctify his pure soul), as well as the other precious martyrs—especially the high-ranking and self-sacrificing commanders of the armed forces and the students of the Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab County—and while condemning the savage aggression of the criminal United States and the wicked Zionist regime, hereby informs the nation that:
Immediately after the news of the martyrdom and heavenly ascension of the wise and sagacious Leader of the Islamic Revolution was announced, despite the severe wartime conditions and the direct threats of the enemies against this popular institution, and despite the bombing of the secretariat offices of the Assembly of Experts, which resulted in the martyrdom of several staff members and members of the security team of this institution, the Assembly did not delay even for a moment in the process of selecting and introducing the leadership of the Islamic system.
In accordance with the duties stipulated in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the internal regulations of the Assembly of Experts, the necessary measures and preparations were immediately placed on the agenda in order to hold an extraordinary session to introduce the new Leader. Accordingly, appropriate planning and coordination were carried out to gather the honorable representatives of this Assembly who are present across different parts of the country, so that despite the foresight provided in Article 111 of the Constitution regarding the formation of a temporary council, the country would not face a leadership vacuum.
The Assembly of Experts for Leadership, while honoring the lofty position of Wilayat al-Faqih during the era of the occultation of Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance) and the importance of the issue of leadership in the system of the Islamic Republic, commemorates the 47 years of wise governance based on the principles of dignity, independence, and power under the two Imams of the Revolution.
While honoring the memory of those divine and popular leaders, the Assembly declares that after careful and extensive examinations, and by utilizing the provisions of Article 108 of the Constitution, in accordance with its religious duty and with the conviction of standing in the presence of Almighty God, during today’s extraordinary session Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei (may God preserve him) was determined and introduced—based on the decisive vote of the honorable members of the Assembly of Experts—as the third Leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In conclusion, while expressing appreciation to the members of the temporary council provided for in Article 111 of the Constitution, the Assembly calls upon all the noble people of Iran—especially the intellectuals and scholars of the religious seminaries and universities—to pledge allegiance to the leadership and preserve unity around the axis of Wilayat.
The Assembly also asks the Almighty God for the continued grace and favor upon this country and its great people.
And peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.
Assembly of Experts for Leadership
8 Maret 2026 (PW)