How will Iran’s new supreme leader change the war?
The Take
Al Jazeera
4.7 • 747 Ratings
🗓️ 11 March 2026
⏱️ 22 minutes
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Summary
Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as the Islamic Republic’s new supreme leader after his father was killed in US-Israeli strikes. Little-known publicly but influential behind the scenes, he takes power during a rapidly escalating regional war. Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, and what could his leadership mean for the country and the conflict ahead?
In this episode:
- Ali Hashem (@alihashem), Al Jazeera Senior Correspondent
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, Tuleen Barakat, David Enders and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Al Jazeera Podcasts. |
| 0:07.0 | Today, the future of Iran under its new supreme leader. |
| 0:16.0 | This is the moment, Moujsafeiqqaenei. This is the moment Mushtab Khanayi. |
| 0:22.6 | The 56-year-old son of Iran's late supreme leader is announced as the country's new leader. |
| 0:29.6 | A week after the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, his son Mushcheba was chosen to lead. |
| 0:36.6 | So who is he? And what does this moment mean as the war |
| 0:40.4 | continues? I'm Mili Gabilal and this is the take. |
| 0:53.6 | Hi. Before we go on with today's show, tell us what questions you have about Iran's leadership |
| 0:59.2 | and where this war could be heading. Leave us a comment with your thoughts and what stories you want us to |
| 1:04.9 | cover next. And if you're listening on a podcast app, leave us a review, telling us where you're listening |
| 1:10.0 | from and give us a five-star |
| 1:12.1 | rating while you're there. It helps other people discover the show. Thanks. I'm Ali Hashim, |
| 1:22.7 | I'm a journalist with Al Jazeera. I've been covering the developments and wars, political situations in the regions for the past 22 years. |
| 1:33.8 | Ali Hashem, welcome back to The Take. You have been quite busy since we last spoke to you at the beginning of this war. |
| 1:41.3 | You've been breaking down the U.S. Israeliraeli war on Iran and Iran's response across the |
| 1:45.6 | Gulf for TV audiences on Al Jazeera English, but also for audiences in English and Arabic online in |
| 1:54.6 | articles. And most recently, you've been writing about Iran's new supreme leader, a man you |
| 2:00.2 | describe in this way. |
| 2:02.5 | For years, Mushtaba Khamanai was known as Iran's most powerful man no one ever saw. |
| 2:09.4 | Now the shadow figure has stepped into the center of power. |
| 2:13.1 | The irony of that is, Ali, we actually haven't seen him. |
| 2:18.6 | So let's start off with, why do you think that is? |
... |
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