Mojtaba Khamenei has been named Iran’s new supreme leader and successor to his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war with the US and Iran.
Some pro-establishment crowds have taken to the streets to celebrate the appointment of a hardliner close to the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
But other Iranians have told the BBC that they believe it will not bring about change.
“Even the thinnest of chances for a change are no more within the system,” said a man in his 30s in the capital, Tehran.
He said the Assembly of Experts – an 88-member clerical body that chooses the supreme leader – could not have selected anyone closer to Ali Khamenei.
“So, everything will remain much the same; they don’t even need to change their chants to support the [new leader],” he added.Since Sunday night, Iranian state TV news channel IRINN has been showing pro-establishment rallies held for Mojtaba Khamenei in different cities including Tehran, the holy city of Qom, and the north-eastern city of Mashhad, his birthplace.
In the footage, crowds are seen waving the flag of the Islamic Republic.
But Mojtaba Khamenei himself has yet to make a public appearance or speech.
One woman told the channel: “We’re very happy. Thanks to the Assembly of Experts. The hand of God is protecting us. Khamenei is still our leader.”
Another woman said: “It couldn’t have been better than this. Our hearts were warmed.”
BBC Persian and BBC Verify have also verified video posted on social media on Sunday night which included chants of “Death to Mojtaba” and “Death to the lackey” in opposition to Mojtaba Khamenei, as well as chants of “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greatest”) in support.
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