Mojtaba Khamenei: Iran's New Supreme Leader

0:00Here's more world news for March 8th. Mochitaba Kamanai, son of Iran's late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Kamanai, has been named as his father's successor. The 86-year-old leader died in an Israeli air strike on his offices at the start of the current war, along with Mochaba's wife. Despite holding no elected or official government role before, the younger Kamanai was long seen as a top contender by insiders. Here this week, Iran's assembly of experts, a group of clerks, confirmed his selection amid reported rifts among officials. Born in 1969 in Mashad, Mochitaba grew up during his father's opposition to the Shah and later fought in the Iran-Iraq war with the Revolutionary Guard. He served as a key adviser and power broker in his father's offices, building influence through alliances and control over major foundations. Maks have called the move a step toward hereditary rule, like the old monarchy, but hardliners view the family as martyrs, boosting his standing.

1:01U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in harshly, saying Mochitaba is a lightweight and unacceptable, even claiming a say in the choice. Past U.S. cables and sanctions from Trump's first term labeled him a destabilizing force behind elections and protests. Now, Mochitaba holds command over Iran's military and the powerful Revolutionary Guard, which answers directly to the Supreme Leader, that includes the country's ballistic missiles, regional allies, and a stockpile of highly enriched uranium that could fuel nuclear weapons. As a U.S.-Israeli campaign targets Iran's nuclear and military power, the new leader steps in during a tense 12-day war with Israel. With the Guard leading the so-called Axis of Resistance, his decisions will shape the conflict in Iran's future direction. This episode is supported by our sponsor, Headphones in a Pillow. Once you try it, it just makes sense, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.