Mojtaba Khamenei was born on 8 September 1969 in Mashhad, Iran, and is the second son of Ali Khamenei, who served as Iran’s Supreme Leader for decades until his death in 2026. Mojtaba studied Islamic theology in the seminaries of Qom, one of the most important centers of Shia scholarship, and trained under clerics such as Mohammad-Taqi Mesbah-Yazdi.
Over the years, he gained a reputation as a powerful behind-the-scenes figure in Iranian politics despite holding few formal public roles.
He developed close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after joining in 1987 and was reportedly influential within the Basij, particularly during periods of political unrest. Analysts have often linked him to key political decisions, including responses to protests and discussions around leadership succession. Following the assassination of Ali Khamenei in early 2026 amid regional tensions, Mojtaba Khamenei was elected Supreme Leader on 8 March 2026 by the Assembly of Experts.
His elevation from a largely shadowy political role to Iran’s highest authority has sparked debate among observers, with some viewing it as a dynastic shift in the country’s leadership despite theological and political concerns.
One year after the Pahalgam terror attack, India has fundamentally shifted its anti-terror doctrine from reactive measures to preemptive action.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, the representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India, discussed the recent ceasefire between Iran and the United States.
Iran has intensified strikes on territories associated with America and Israel, launching what it calls the 92nd wave of attacks.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, military analyst Tom Cooper said that US President Donald Trump has no independent plan for the Iran war and is 'essentially following orders' or recommendations from Israel.
The West Asia conflict has escalated following a threat from US President Donald Trump to Iran, stating that a failure to immediately open the Strait of Hormuz will result in the obliteration of its electric generating plants, oil wells, and Kharg Island.
On Day 25 of the West Asia war, Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Tehran, causing power outages across the Iranian capital.
India Today Explains examines the escalating West Asia conflict, focusing on Iran's relentless attacks on the United Arab Emirates. According to the UAE's defence ministry, more than 1,700 missiles and drones have been launched towards the country, with over 90 per cent intercepted by air defences, fighter jets, and helicopters. Dubai, long marketed as a conflict-proof safe haven, has been significantly impacted, with alerts warning residents to seek shelter. Iran justifies the strikes citing the UAE's strategic alignment with Washington and its partnership with Israel following the 2020 Abraham Accords. The programme details the UAE's multi-layered air defence system, including the THAAD system, Patriot PAC-3, and Pantsir-S1. It also explores potential Gulf nation retaliation strategies and Iran's decentralised 'Mosaic strategy' that allows operations to continue despite leadership eliminations. The conflict threatens Dubai's tourism industry, which generates around 30 billion dollars annually, and risks destabilising the entire region.
In this episode of India Today Explains, we examine the West Asia war, focusing on Iran's escalating attacks on the United Arab Emirates. Since the conflict began, more than 1,700 missiles and drones have been launched towards the UAE.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a midnight press conference addressing speculation about his death, declaring 'I am alive'. While, Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains unseen nearly 20 days after his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli strike on February 28.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Iran's state media, has released what appears to be an undated video of the Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. In the video, the supreme leader can be seen teaching religious science to a bunch of pupils who are listening attentively. The IRIB said that the video of the newly-appointed Supreme Leader was published for the first time. Mojtaba took over as the Supreme Leader after his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was 86, was killed in an Israeli-American strike on February 28.
The West Asia conflict has intensified as Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Iraq.
The conclave will also feature political debates on upcoming state elections in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Addressing a domestic audience, Khamenei framed Iran's military stance as one of necessary justice. He explicitly stated that the Iranian government feels a religious and national obligation to respond to the loss of life attributed to American and Israeli military actions.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards have intensified attacks on US and allied targets across West Asia and moved to close the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil supplies and pushing prices above 100 dollars per barrel.
This India Today Super 6 report, anchored by Akshita Anandakopal, examines the resolution of India's LPG supply crisis and the government's strategy for domestic energy security. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri confirms that oil refineries are operating at full capacity and supply chains remain intact, prioritizing household consumption. Internationally, Brent crude prices experienced a marginal decline following U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that the West Asia conflict may end soon. However, the report also details the economic impact of the war, including fuel price hikes in Pakistan and rationing in Bangladesh. Trump addresses the humanitarian crisis following the bombing of an Iranian girls' school, attributing the strike to Iran despite evidence involving a Tomahawk missile. Additionally, the broadcast covers diplomatic resolution efforts led by Russia and parliamentary disputes in India. A dedicated fact-check segment addresses viral misinformation and social media rumors surrounding the conflict. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of global oil market volatility, regional energy stability, and ongoing geopolitical developments.
His appointment comes at a moment of deep uncertainty for Iran, with a widening war in West Asia and growing domestic dissent. The transition echoes the dynastic politics of the monarchy that the revolution once overthrew.
Israeli Minister for Industries Nir Barkat said that newly-appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's term would be short, affirming Israel's objective to dismantle the Iranian leadership.
Iran has confirmed Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader following his father's death. This marks the first hereditary transfer of Iran's supreme leadership.
The West Asia crisis has escalated following Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel and multiple US military bases across the Gulf.
