Reactions to Iran’s appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader poured in swiftly from across the region, ranging from jubilation among Iran’s allies to immediate military retaliation from its adversaries. The Assembly of Experts announced the selection on Sunday following what it described as a decisive vote. Mojtaba, 56, is the second son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli military strike on Tehran last month.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels were among the first to offer congratulations. In a statement released on Telegram, the group described the appointment as a new victory for the Islamic Revolution and a resounding blow to the republic’s enemies. The message reflected the close ties between the Houthi movement and the Iranian regime, which has supported the group through years of conflict with Saudi Arabia and Western-backed forces in the Arabian Peninsula.
Israel took a markedly different view. The Israeli military launched a new wave of strikes against what it described as regime infrastructure in central Iran on Monday, the first major operation since the leadership change was announced. Israeli forces also struck Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Iranian state media, meanwhile, broadcast footage of a missile bearing a message of support for the new leader — underscoring that Tehran had no intention of standing down.
The broader regional picture grew increasingly alarming. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait all reported Iranian drone and missile attacks. A residential neighborhood in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia was struck, killing two people and injuring twelve others. Bahrain reported that an important desalination facility had been damaged. Saudi air defenses intercepted at least 15 drones. The IRGC issued warnings that oil prices would exceed $200 a barrel if the energy attacks continued.
Mojtaba Khamenei steps into a supreme leadership role during a moment of profound regional instability. His ability to hold together the Islamic Republic’s alliances, manage the military, and respond credibly to foreign pressure will be the defining tests of his rule. For now, Iran’s allies are cheering and its enemies are striking — and the world is watching to see which force will shape the country’s future.