DUBAI: Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, a Shiite cleric and longtime political insider, became Iran’s third supreme leader on Sunday, ascending to Iran’s top position following the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His elevation to the country’s highest political and religious office marked a historic moment for the Islamic Republic, placing a member of the ruling family directly at the helm of the state. It’s a move that some thought would be too reminiscent of a monarchy to take place.

The 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei is set to continue leadership of Iran in the same vein as his father

Many expect the 56-year-old, who has largely kept a low profile, to continue his father's hardline policies.

Mojtaba Khamenei is to replace his father as Iran’s new supreme leader