Iranian officials and organizations, including the military and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reacted to the announcement of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader on Sunday.
The X/Twitter account of his father, the previous supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, posted a picture of his father handing the flag of the Islamic Republic to Mojtaba.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani shared the same image, saying Mojtaba had been "nurtured in the Leadership Seminary."
"His presence will be a source of goodness and blessings," Larijani said in a post on X. "With the teachings he has learned from his esteemed father, he can guide the country. Our wish is that during the leadership of Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran will be placed on the path of development."
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on naming the new supreme leader, said it is the manifestation of Iran's will to strengthen national unity.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who has held close political ties with Mojtaba Khamenei, said that the appointment of the new supreme leader is a "soothing balm for the heavy loss of" Ali Khamenei, and was able to bring "joy to the hearts of the Iranian people, while shattering the last hopes of our enemies."
Ghalibaf also described Mojtaba as a "faithful, revolutionary, courageous, managerial, and visionary individual who is in tune with the times, knows the enemy, and lives simply," according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
"We pledge that, in defense of the rights of the great Iranian nation, the advancement of national interests and security, and the realization of the lofty goals of the Islamic Revolution, we shall not falter for a moment," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X.
The IRGC, which reports to the office of the supreme leader, stated that it is "ready for full obedience and self-sacrifice in carrying out the divine orders of the Wali-e-Faqih of the time, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, and for preserving the values of the Islamic Revolution and protecting the precious legacy of the two leaders of the revolution," according to a statement cited by Tasnim.
IRGC also referred to Mojtaba Khamenei as a "qualified jurist, young and thoughtful scholar, and the most knowledgeable in political and social issues."
"This election marks a new dawn and the beginning of a new phase in the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic, making the painful loss of our great leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, bearable for the people of Iran and the Muslim world," the IRGC stated.
The election of Khamenei demonstrated that the Islamic Revolution is not dependent on any one official, the IRGC added.
The Iranian military and Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters also pledged loyalty to Mojtaba Khamenei, according to Tasnim.
The military referred to him as a "qualified jurist, just, time-sensitive, politician, knowledgeable, pious, humble, and wise leader," adding that it will "utilize all of our resources and efforts to realize the ideals of the Islamic Revolution under his leadership."
"The enemies of the Islamic Ummah, especially the criminal United States and other criminal enemies, will regret their actions as they face the leadership of the system and the global arrogance for their transgressions against Muslims and the faithful, revolutionary, and patient people of Iran. Until the last breath and drop of blood, under our dear leader’s command, we will stand firm against the plots of the enemies of Islam and our dear Iran," the military threatened.
Oil prices surge amid announcement of Mojtaba's accession
The war has severely impacted the oil trade, and surging prices sparked a fall in share futures in Asia on Monday, amid fears of rising living costs.
US crude futures rose more than 20% in early trade on Monday, hitting their highest since July 2022, amid fears of tighter supply and prolonged disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent jumped 17% to $108.73 a barrel, having already soared 28% last week.
On Wall Street, S&P 500 futures shed 1.6%, while Nasdaq futures dived 1.7%.
US President Donald Trump, in a social media post, said oil prices "will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over," and said the price hike was "a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace."
Reuters contributed to this report.