Mojtaba Khamenei Rallies Divide Iran as Citizens Fear Crackdown

Published: 10 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Crowds gathered in Tehran on Monday as Iran entered a dramatic new chapter. The emergence of Mojtaba Khamenei as supreme leader has divided the nation sharply. While state media broadcast scenes of loyalty, many Iranians quietly expressed fear about repression. The contrasting reactions revealed deep tensions following the death of the country’s longtime leader.

At around midday, large crowds assembled in Tehran’s well-known Enghelab Square. Demonstrators held banners bearing the image of slain leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Alongside those banners appeared a new portrait now dominating state television screens. That portrait belonged to Mojtaba Khamenei, the son who has suddenly inherited power.

The rallies came even as airstrikes continued to hit areas of the capital. Sirens sounded across neighbourhoods while demonstrators chanted loyalty slogans. Some participants waved flags while repeating familiar revolutionary chants heard during previous political crises. State television presented these gatherings as a spontaneous national movement supporting the new leader.

Similar demonstrations were reported across several major Iranian cities. Crowds gathered in public squares while security forces monitored the rallies carefully. Participants shouted slogans condemning the United States and Israel during the televised events. State media commentators described the rallies as proof that national unity remains strong.

Yet these images contrasted sharply with scenes recorded just days earlier. When Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint United States and Israeli strike, celebrations erupted in parts of the country. Videos circulated online showing people dancing and cheering in streets across several cities. Many citizens blamed the late cleric for decades of repression and violence.

Ali Khamenei ruled Iran for thirty seven years after assuming power in 1989. His leadership oversaw harsh crackdowns on anti government demonstrations across multiple decades. Thousands of protesters were reportedly killed during violent confrontations with state security forces. These memories remain fresh for many Iranians who experienced those turbulent political struggles.

In the hours before the new leader’s announcement, other videos appeared on social media. Several recordings showed crowds chanting slogans opposing Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran streets. Protesters shouted “Death to Mojtaba” in defiance of the political succession unfolding. Those scenes circulated widely online before authorities imposed severe internet restrictions nationwide.

The government introduced an internet blackout during the first day of escalating conflict. Access to international networks remains limited across most regions of Iran. Despite restrictions, some citizens have managed to send messages to friends abroad. These private communications reveal deep uncertainty about what the future might hold.

One university student from Mashhad described the atmosphere as tense and unpredictable. The student, identified only as Nima for security reasons, shared concerns through text messages. According to him, many people are waiting cautiously to see what developments follow. Some even speculate about possible external actions against the newly appointed leader.

Nima explained that Mojtaba Khamenei has always maintained a relatively low public profile. Despite limited appearances, he is believed to wield significant influence within powerful institutions. Observers frequently link him to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij militia. Those groups form the backbone of Iran’s powerful security establishment.

The Basij militia is widely known for its role in suppressing anti government protests. Many activists accuse its members of using violence against demonstrators across several decades. Because of these associations, critics view the new leadership with deep suspicion. They fear that repression may intensify under Mojtaba Khamenei’s authority.

Nima believes the new leader may prove even more uncompromising than his father. He said Mojtaba Khamenei enjoys strong connections with security institutions throughout the country. According to the student, those networks could consolidate further power around the new leader. That possibility worries many citizens already exhausted by years of political pressure.

State media reports suggest the attack that killed Ali Khamenei was devastating. The strike reportedly killed several members of the leader’s family as well. Among the reported victims were Mojtaba Khamenei’s wife and his son. Some rumours also claim the new supreme leader suffered injuries during the same strike.

Despite the ongoing war, authorities continue enforcing strict internal security measures nationwide. Iran’s prosecutor general recently issued a severe warning directed at citizens abroad. The statement declared cooperation with hostile foreign powers could bring harsh consequences. Officials warned that property confiscation and even execution might follow such accusations.

Another young protester living in western Tehran described a tense atmosphere across neighbourhood streets. He spoke anonymously using the name Farzad to avoid possible retaliation. According to him, security forces have patrolled the city continuously since Khamenei’s death. Motorcycles carrying Basij members reportedly move through streets chanting religious slogans.

Farzad said many members of these forces appear intensely angry after recent events. The loss of the supreme leader and his relatives has heightened emotions among supporters. He believes authorities may blame protesters for contributing to the conflict environment. That fear has discouraged public demonstrations despite widespread dissatisfaction among ordinary citizens.

Farzad also suggested the leadership decision sends a political message internationally. According to him, choosing Mojtaba Khamenei signals that Iran will not retreat under pressure. Hardline figures within the regime appear determined to continue confrontation despite external threats. Many citizens, however, fear that prolonged conflict will worsen daily life.

Supporters of the new leader portray his appointment as a continuation of revolutionary ideals. Pro government media outlets circulated symbolic images reinforcing that narrative across social networks. One widely shared illustration showed Ali Khamenei passing a folded national flag to his son. The image suggested a smooth transfer of authority within the leadership.

At one pro government rally, a university student spoke enthusiastically about the succession. Zahra Mirbagheri told international reporters that the appointment represented strength. She said foreign enemies had hoped Iran’s system would collapse after the assassination. Instead, supporters believe the leadership transition demonstrates resilience during an extremely dangerous period.

Nevertheless, critics argue the succession contradicts the ideological foundation of the Islamic Republic. The state emerged from the 1979 revolution that overthrew the monarchy of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Revolutionary leaders promised to eliminate hereditary political authority in Iran permanently. The emergence of a father to son succession therefore raises uncomfortable questions.

Some activists have reacted with biting sarcasm to the leadership change. One Tehran based activist mockingly pledged loyalty to what they called the “new crown prince.” The comment reflected frustration that Iran might be drifting toward dynastic rule. Critics fear this perception could further erode the regime’s political legitimacy.

The activist also questioned the international strategy surrounding the recent military operation. They suggested the strike intended to weaken hardliners may produce the opposite outcome. According to that view, removing the older leader could empower even more rigid factions. Such consequences might influence both regional stability and global political dynamics.

For many citizens, the most immediate concern remains daily survival amid political uncertainty. Airstrikes, economic hardship, and strict security controls have created enormous pressure nationwide. Families struggle with shortages while fearing further escalation in the ongoing conflict. Amid these challenges, ordinary people continue waiting anxiously for signs of stability.

Whether Mojtaba Khamenei will consolidate power successfully remains an open question. His leadership begins during one of the most volatile moments in modern Iranian history. Supporters hope continuity will preserve the political system built over four decades. Critics worry the future may bring deeper repression and prolonged confrontation.

For now, the nation remains sharply divided between public loyalty and private anxiety. State television celebrates unity around the new leader with confident imagery. Yet private messages from inside the country reveal uncertainty and fear. Iran stands at a crossroads where the consequences of this transition could shape decades ahead.

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