Iran on Wednesday (Mar 4) rubbished reports that Mojtaba Khamenei has been named as the nation's Supreme Leader after his father Ayatollah Khamenei's assassination in joint United States-Israel strikes. Issuing a statement via the Consulate General in Mumbai, the Iranian Government on X dismissed media reports on the supposed succession.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-no-matter-where-he-hides-israeli-defence-minister-threatens-to-assassinate-any-successor-to-iran-s-khamenei-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-1772613368778">'No matter where he hides': Katz threatens to 'assassinate' Khamenei's successor</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Reports circulating on media regarding potential candidates for leadership selected by Iran’s Assembly of Experts have no official source and are officially denied.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AssemblyOfExperts?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AssemblyOfExperts</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FactCheck?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FactCheck</a> <a href="https://t.co/g9b9znt8j8">pic.twitter.com/g9b9znt8j8</a>&mdash; Consulate General of the I.R. Iran in Mumbai (@IRANinMumbai) <a href="https://twitter.com/IRANinMumbai/status/2029075963708096547?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?</h2>Earlier, media reports suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei had been selected to succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, now the Iranian government, in an X post made via its Consulate General in Mumbai, rubbished the succession claims. It said that the "reports circulating on media regarding potential candidates for leadership selected by Iran's Assembly of Experts have no official source and are officially denied."&nbsp;WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Has Iran already chosen its next supreme leader after Ali Khamenei was killed? Reports claimed Mojtaba Khamenei had been selected, but Tehran has now strongly denied it. 

Scroll down to read more.

Iran on Wednesday (Mar 4) rubbished reports that Mojtaba Khamenei has been named as the nation's Supreme Leader after his father Ayatollah Khamenei's assassination in joint United States-Israel strikes. Issuing a statement via the Consulate General in Mumbai, the Iranian Government on X dismissed media reports on the supposed succession. Also read | 'No matter where he hides': Katz threatens to 'assassinate' Khamenei's successor

Has Iran already chosen its next supreme leader after Ali Khamenei was killed? Reports claimed Mojtaba Khamenei had been selected, but Tehran has now strongly denied it.&nbsp;Scroll down to read more.

Iran denies Mojtaba Khamenei named supreme leader: Tehran slams 'fake' reports on succession

US President Donald Trump is considering whether to support armed groups inside Iran to overthrow Iran's ruling establishment, though no final decision has been made, suggest reports. This comes, as Iranian media reported that Iran's Assembly of Experts has elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the country's Supreme Leader.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-mojtaba-khamenei-iran-elects-new-supreme-leader-to-replace-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-1772587904561">Who is Mojtaba Khamenei? Iran elects new Supreme Leader to replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: Reports</a><h2>Trump to back militias against Iran?</h2>According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Trump is considering whether to support armed groups seeking to overthrow Iran’s ruling establishment. Citing US officials, the report said the administration is weighing the possibility of providing assistance such as arms, training, or intelligence to anti-regime militias.For now, the idea remains under discussion within the White House. Officials stressed that the president has not signed off on any plan. The debate comes as Washington continues military operations against Tehran following recent strikes that targeted key figures in Iran’s leadership.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-identifies-four-soldiers-killed-in-kuwait-attack-all-we-know-about-them-cody-a-khork-noah-l-tietjens-nicole-m-amor-declan-j-coady-1772591385160">Pentagon identifies four soldiers killed in Kuwait attack: All we know</a><h2>Trump wants 'somebody from within'</h2>Trump has already spoken to "many regional partners," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the publication. However, as per the report, Trump is yet to decide on what type of help the US would provide. As per Axios, Trump has spoken to the leaders of Masoud Barzani and Bafel Talabani, the two main Kurdish factions in Iraq.&nbsp;Previously, speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said he would prefer "somebody from within" to be Iran's next leader. However, he added that, "Most of the people we had in mind are dead," referring to senior Iranian figures killed during the recent escalation.<h2>The ‘Venezuela model’</h2>According to the report, behind closed doors, Trump has also floated what aides describe as the "Venezuela model." Under that approach, a successor from within the existing political structure could step in to maintain stability after the top leader is removed.

Will the US back militias to topple Iran’s regime? Reports say President Donald Trump is weighing support for armed groups inside Iran amid the reported rise of Mojtaba Khamenei. 

What options is Washington considering? Scroll down to read more. 

US President Donald Trump is considering whether to support armed groups inside Iran to overthrow Iran's ruling establishment, though no final decision has been made, suggest reports. This comes, as Iranian media reported that Iran's Assembly of Experts has elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the country's Supreme Leader. Also read | Who is Mojtaba Khamenei? Iran elects new Supreme Leader to replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: Reports Trump to back militias against Iran? According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Trump is considering whether to support armed groups seeking to overthrow Iran’s ruling establishment. Citing US officials, the report said the administration is weighing the possibility of providing assistance such as arms, training, or intelligence to anti-regime militias. For now, the idea remains under discussion within the White House. Officials stressed that the president has not signed off on any plan. The debate comes as Washington continues military operations against Tehran following recent strikes that targeted key figures in Iran’s leadership. Also read | Pentagon identifies four soldiers killed in Kuwait attack: All we know Trump wants 'somebody from within' Trump has already spoken to "many regional partners," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the publication. However, as per the report, Trump is yet to decide on what type of help the US would provide. As per Axios, Trump has spoken to the leaders of Masoud Barzani and Bafel Talabani, the two main Kurdish factions in Iraq. Previously, speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said he would prefer "somebody from within" to be Iran's next leader. However, he added that, "Most of the people we had in mind are dead," referring to senior Iranian figures killed during the recent escalation. The ‘Venezuela model’ According to the report, behind closed doors, Trump has also floated what aides describe as the "Venezuela model." Under that approach, a successor from within the existing political structure could step in to maintain stability after the top leader is removed.

Will the US back militias to topple Iran’s regime? Reports say President Donald Trump is weighing support for armed groups inside Iran amid the reported rise of Mojtaba Khamenei.&nbsp;What options is Washington considering? Scroll down to read more.&nbsp;

Trump’s 'Operation Epic Fury' targets Tehran: Is a US-backed militia the key to ending the Iran war?

The US and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday (Feb 28), killing the Middle Eastern country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The attack has put Iran's particiaption in upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 in doubt. The tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to be played from Jun 11 to Jul 19. Iran has qualified for the quadrennial tournament through Asian qualifiers but amid the current situation, it is not confirmed if the Shia-muslim majority country will take part in the tournament. Iran's matches in the FIFA World Cup are against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, then Egypt in Seattle - both the venues being in the USA. The two countries last played in the FIFA World Cup in 2022 in Qatar.<h2>Will Iran play in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026?</h2>The coutnry, ever since the attack by the USA and Israel, has been facing constant strikes. Iran has also retaliated by launching missiles at various US bases across middle east &nbsp;- in UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, etc. The ongoing conflict has given the flame to already tense relations between Iran and the US - putting their World Cup participation in doubt.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/afc-postpones-first-leg-knockout-matches-after-us-israel-strikes-1772355152125">AFC postpones first-leg knockout matches after US, Israel strikes</a>"With what happened... and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the World Cup, but the sports chiefs are the ones who must decide on that," said Mehdi Taj, head of Iran's football federation, to Iranian media as reported by the BBC.With Supreme Leader Khamenei dead, there's no clarity over Iran's political system will work to ensure the FIFA World Cup participation, that is, if the country decides to send the team to the USA - which looks highly unlikely as of now.<h2>What happens if Iran does not participate in FIFA World Cup 2026?</h2>In case Iran decides not to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026, Iraq, which failed to qualify for the tournament, might get a bump for a place in the tournament. With the whole picture being blurred amid the smoke rising because of bomb explosions in various countries including Iran, there's nothing to do but wait and watch for the developments on Iran's participation.

With Supreme Leader Khamenei dead, there's no clarity over Iran's political system will work to ensure the FIFA World Cup 2026 participation, that is, if the country decides to send the team to the USA - which looks highly unlikely as of now.

The US and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday (Feb 28), killing the Middle Eastern country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The attack has put Iran's particiaption in upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 in doubt. The tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to be played from Jun 11 to Jul 19. Iran has qualified for the quadrennial tournament through Asian qualifiers but amid the current situation, it is not confirmed if the Shia-muslim majority country will take part in the tournament. Iran's matches in the FIFA World Cup are against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, then Egypt in Seattle - both the venues being in the USA. The two countries last played in the FIFA World Cup in 2022 in Qatar. Will Iran play in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026? The coutnry, ever since the attack by the USA and Israel, has been facing constant strikes. Iran has also retaliated by launching missiles at various US bases across middle east - in UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, etc. The ongoing conflict has given the flame to already tense relations between Iran and the US - putting their World Cup participation in doubt. Also Read - AFC postpones first-leg knockout matches after US, Israel strikes "With what happened... and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the World Cup, but the sports chiefs are the ones who must decide on that," said Mehdi Taj, head of Iran's football federation, to Iranian media as reported by the BBC. With Supreme Leader Khamenei dead, there's no clarity over Iran's political system will work to ensure the FIFA World Cup participation, that is, if the country decides to send the team to the USA - which looks highly unlikely as of now. What happens if Iran does not participate in FIFA World Cup 2026? In case Iran decides not to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026, Iraq, which failed to qualify for the tournament, might get a bump for a place in the tournament. With the whole picture being blurred amid the smoke rising because of bomb explosions in various countries including Iran, there's nothing to do but wait and watch for the developments on Iran's participation.

Iran's matches in the FIFA World Cup are against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, then Egypt in Seattle - both the venues being in the USA. The two countries (Iran and USA) last played in the FIFA World Cup in 2022 in Qatar.

FIFA World Cup 2026 | 'Unlikely to look forward:' Iran's participation in doubt after US-Israel attacks

The IDF claimed it had killed 40 senior commanders, including Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, although full details have not been released.

The IDF claimed it had killed 40 senior commanders, including Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, although full details have not been released.

'One-way attack drone' debut: How did US turn Iran’s Shahed playbook against Tehran in Operation Epic Fury?

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Iran denies Mojtaba Khamenei named supreme leader: Tehran slams 'fake' reports on succession

Is Trump betting on armed militia to end war, overthrow Iran regime? All we know

FIFA WC 2026 | Iran's participation 'unlikely' after US-Israel attacks

How did US turn Iran’s Shahed playbook against Tehran in Operation Epic Fury?