Breaking news: Iran Finally Names new Supreme Leader

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Iran’s Assembly of Experts has named Mojtaba Khamenei to replace his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country’s new supreme leader, state media reports.

Mojtaba has been named in recent days as the frontrunner to succeed his father, who was killed on the first day of US-Israeli strikes on Iran, on February 28. But US President Donald Trump has called the younger Khamenei “unacceptable” and demanded to have input in choosing Iran’s next leader, a request Islamic Republic officials have rebuffed.

Earlier today, he said whoever was chosen to replace the late supreme leader would not “last long” without US approval.

“The name of Khamenei will continue,” Eshkevari, one of the 88 members of the assembly, says in a video published in Iranian media.

“The vote has been cast and will be announced soon.” Eshkevari says, without providing further details.

The elder Khamenei, Iran’s former supreme leader, was killed on the first day of US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

If confirmed, the selection of his son could draw the ire of US President Donald Trump who has said he should have a role in the choice of the next leader, a demand Iran has roundly rejected. Trump has called Mojtaba Khamenei “unacceptable.”