Iran Names New Supreme Leader — IDF Kills His Military Aide Within Hours

The Assembly of Experts announces on Day 9 that Iran has selected a new supreme leader — the highest political and religious authority in the Islamic Republic, with final say on military operations and nuclear policy. The decision comes nine days after Ali Khamenei was killed in the opening Israeli strikes. Members suggest Mojtaba Khamenei — son of the late supreme leader — has been chosen, though the name is not yet formally announced. Within hours, the IDF kills Abu-al-Qasem Baba'iyan — the newly appointed head of the military bureau of the new supreme leader. Baba'iyan was appointed only days ago to replace his predecessor, who was also killed in the opening strikes. Israel is systematically dismantling the supreme leader's command structure as fast as Iran can reconstitute it — a targeting campaign that goes to the heart of Iranian state continuity.

Key facts

• •Assembly of Experts votes to select new supreme leader — name not yet formally announced
• •Member suggests Mojtaba Khamenei (son of Ali Khamenei) has been chosen
• •IDF kills Abu-al-Qasem Baba'iyan — head of new supreme leader's military bureau
• •Baba'iyan is the second military bureau chief killed — predecessor eliminated in Day 1 strikes
• •Trump had called Mojtaba Khamenei a 'lightweight' and rejected his candidacy