'The Name of Khamenei Will Continue' — Assembly of Experts Member Signals Mojtaba Selection

Assembly of Experts member Hosseinali Eshkevari delivered a statement carried by Iranian media confirming that the vote to select a new supreme leader had concluded and the result would be announced shortly. 'With the majority of votes, the person who will continue the path of Imam Khomeini and the path of the martyr Imam Khamenei has been chosen. The name of Khamenei will continue. The vote has been cast and will be announced soon,' Eshkevari said. The phrase 'the name of Khamenei will continue' is a direct signal that Mojtaba Khamenei — son of the late Ali Khamenei — has been selected. It would be constitutionally unprecedented and dynastic for a son to succeed his father to the supreme leadership in the Islamic Republic. The 1979 constitution does not prohibit it but the Islamic Republic has historically presented itself as meritocratic rather than dynastic. Mojtaba Khamenei was widely reported as a frontrunner before and during the war. Trump had previously called him 'unacceptable' and 'a lightweight', demanded a US role in the selection, and warned the new leader 'won't last long' without US approval. The formal announcement of Mojtaba — if confirmed — will trigger immediate US and Israeli reactions, and may accelerate military operations against the new leadership's support network.