An Iranian-American scholar and opposition adviser, Ramesh Sepehrrad, says protests in Iran reflect growing public anger over the rise of the country’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Sepehrrad made the remark during an interview on Fox News on Monday, March 9, 2026, while discussing the political fallout following the death of former Iranian leader Ali Khamenei and the selection of his son as successor.
According to Sepehrrad, many Iranians view the leadership transition as evidence that the Islamic Republic is moving toward a hereditary form of rule rather than a representative political system.
“Mojtaba is now the Ayatollah king of Iran. This is why the people are in the streets shouting ‘Down with the dictator,’” she said.
The analyst argued that the appointment has intensified dissatisfaction among segments of the Iranian population who have long opposed the country’s ruling clerical establishment.
Sepehrrad said demonstrators have taken to the streets to protest what they see as a continuation of authoritarian rule, with some chanting slogans against the new leadership. She described the succession as a signal that the political system is becoming more restrictive rather than opening up to reforms.
Her comments come amid reports of unrest in several parts of Iran following the announcement of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader.
Sepehrrad also suggested that the protests reflect broader calls among opposition groups for significant political change in Iran, including demands for a secular republican system that would replace the current theocratic structure.
The developments unfold as regional tensions remain high, with ongoing military confrontation involving Iran and Israel and increased international scrutiny of the country’s political direction following the leadership transition….See More
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