Israel vows to assassinate Iran's new supreme leader - as Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral postponed over safety fears
Israel has vowed to wipe out the new supreme leader of Iran and the successor of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said the new leader will be a ‘certain target for assassination’.
Ali Khamenei's son Mojtaba has been named as Iran's new Supreme Leader, Iranian media announced last night.
Iran International reported that Mojtaba, who has links to the regime's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was chosen by the Assembly of Experts to succeed his father on Tuesday.
Mojtaba, 56, is the second-eldest son of the slain leader.
It comes as the threats to Mojtaba's life led to the postponement of the late Supreme Leader's funeral in Tehran over safety fears.
The three-day funeral was set to begin on Wednesday, with images showing preparations well underway.
However, state media insisted the cancellation comes amid “anticipation of unprecedented turnout" with a "new date will be announced later".
Israel Katz said: “Any leader selected by the Iranian terror regime to continue leading the plan for Israel's destruction, threatening the United States, the free world and countries in the region, and suppressing the Iranian people, will be a certain target for assassination, no matter his name or where he hides.”
Mojtaba, 56, Ali Khamenei's second oldest son, has strong links to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and was chosen by Iran's Assembly of Experts 'under pressure from the Revolutionary Guards', according to Iranian opposition outlet Iran International.
Mojtaba is not a high-ranking cleric, has never held office and does not have an official role in the regime.
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According to the constitution of the Islamic Republic, the Assembly of Experts choose the Supreme Leader of the regime.
The members of the Assembly themselves are elected by Iranian voters for eight-year terms.
Iran's state media confirmed that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei had been killed on Sunday.
The announcement came hours after President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social that Khamenei was killed in strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel.
State media outlet Tasnim said: "The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution was martyred at his workplace in the Leader's House.
"At the time of his martyrdom, he was performing his assigned duties and was present at his workplace (his office), and this cowardly attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning."