STORY: Supporters said they felt glad upon learning that Mojtaba Khamenei is to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, on Monday (March 9).

“Now we are sure that the path will continue with his leadership,” said a Tehran citizen who did not give his name.

Mojtaba’s succession as the Supreme Leader signalled that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.

Mojtaba, a cleric with influence inside Iran's security forces and vast business networks under his father, had been viewed as a frontrunner in the lead-up to Sunday's vote by the Assembly of Experts, a body of 88 clerics tasked with choosing Ali Khamenei's successor.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: SUPPORTERS OF NEWLY SELECTED IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER, MOJTABA KHAMENEI, CELEBRATING HIS NEW ROLE / SOUNDBITES FROM SUPPORTERS

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: TEHRAN, IRAN (MARCH 9, 2026) (WANA - No use VOA Persian. No use BBC Persian. No use Manoto. No use Iran International, No Use Radio Farda) (NIGHT SHOTS)

1. VARIOUS OF CARS AND MOTORCYCLES CARRYING IRAN FLAGS PASSING BY BILLBOARD SHOWING IRAN'S SLAIN SUPREME LEADER ALI KHAMENEI

2. POSTER OF NEWLY SELECTED SUPREME LEADER, SON OF ALI KHAMENEI, MOJTABA KHAMENEI

3. WOMAN HOLDING A PHOTO OF ALI KHAMENEI PRAYING

4. PEOPLE PRAYING

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) TEHRAN CITIZEN, NO NAME GIVEN, SAYING:

"After an entire week of waiting, and of course the shock of the passing of Ayatollah Khamenei inflicted on the society, we are very glad that now the leader has been selected. Now we are sure that the path will continue with his leadership."

6. CARS CARRYING IRAN FLAGS PASSING BY BILLBOARD SHOWING KHAMENEI THE FATHER

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) TEHRAN CITIZEN, NO NAME GIVEN, SAYING: "I heard the news that he was the selected leader. I'm very glad. I believe he is the most deserving to lead the Shiite nation."

8. CARS CARRYING IRANIAN FLAG DRIVING BY

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) TEHRAN CITIZEN, NO NAME GIVEN, SAYING:

"It was a profound happiness. We truly didn't know whether to mourn the loss of our leader, or rejoice at the selection of the new leader. Mr. Mojtaba is very much like his father. Of all the possible candidates, he was the most deserving and the one most similar (to the late leader).

10. VARIOUS OF POSTERS OF ALI KHAMENEI WAVING