Iran's Revolutionary Guards pledge allegiance to new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei

2026-03-09 - 00:02

Iran's most powerful military institution, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, issued a formal declaration Monday endorsing Mojtaba Khamenei as the nation's new supreme leader, following his selection by the Assembly of Experts. In an official statement, the IRGC congratulated Khamenei on his appointment after the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran on Feb. 28 after nearly four decades at Iran's helm. Military establishment backs leadership transition The IRGC statement emphasized respect for the Assembly of Experts' decision and pledged unwavering loyalty to the new leader, vowing to follow his directives and defend the Islamic Republic against all threats. The Guards characterized Mojtaba Khamenei as a qualified cleric possessing the necessary capabilities to guide the country through complex political and regional challenges, signaling continuity in Iran's strategic posture despite the leadership transition. Call for national unity amid wartime conditions The military organization also issued an appeal to the Iranian people, urging them to support the new leadership and defend the Islamic Republic during what it described as sensitive circumstances. The call for national unity comes as Iran continues to face US-Israeli attacks that have killed over 1,200 people, including the former supreme leader and top military commanders, while Tehran's retaliatory strikes have expanded the conflict across multiple fronts. IRGC's role critical for regime stability The Revolutionary Guards' swift endorsement carries particular significance given the institution's central role in Iran's power structure and its direct responsibility for defending the regime against external threats. With the country engaged in its most serious military confrontation in decades, the Guards' unequivocal backing provides crucial support for the new leader as he consolidates authority and directs Iran's response to the ongoing US-Israeli campaign. The succession, now backed by both the clerical establishment and the military, positions Mojtaba Khamenei to continue his father's policies of resistance against American and Israeli pressure while navigating the complexities of an expanding regional war.