Son of slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba, has been announced as the next Supreme Leader of Iran.

Jnr Khamenei was announced to succeed his father in a statement by Assembly of Experts, read on state TV on Sunday.

The presenter said, “Despite the acute wartime conditions and the direct threats of the enemies against this popular institution, and despite the bombing of the offices of the Secretariat of the Assembly of Experts, which resulted in the martyrdom of several staff members and members of its security team, did not pause even for a moment in the process of selecting and introducing the leadership of the Islamic system.

“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Khamenei is the leader.”

Iran International earlier reported the emergence of Jnr Khamenei as Iran’s Supreme Leader, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Mr Khamenei, 56, succeeds his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in the first strike of Operation Epic Fury launched by the U.S. and Israel forces.

The slain Khamenei reigned over the Islamic Republic for over three decades upon assumption of office in 1989. The emergency of his son extends the Khameneis dynasty and firm hold on power in the country.

Last week a group of Iranian officials cordinating the election to decide who succeeds the slain leader were bombed by Israeli forces.

American President Donald Trump had rejected the Jnr Khamenei, warning he must be involved in the selection of new leader for Iran. Mr Trump noted that an Iranian supreme leader chosen without U.S. approval wouldn’t last in office.