Who was Mojtaba Khamenei's wife Zahra Haddad Adel? All about his family and children

Zahra Haddad-Adel was reportedly killed in a joint US-Israel airstrike on Iran.

Updated on: Mar 09, 2026 3:52 AM IST

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Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s late supreme leader, has been named his successor, Iranian state TV reported. The announcement comes nine days after US‑Israeli strikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Mojtaba Khamenei married Zahra Haddad-Adel in 1999. (AFP)

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, “is appointed and introduced as the third leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, based on the decisive vote of the respected representatives of the Assembly of Experts,” the clerical body said in a statement.

It said that the clerical body "did not hesitate for a minute" in choosing a new leader, despite "the brutal aggression of the criminal America and the evil Zionist regime."

Also Read: US Iran war news LIVE updates: Mojtaba Khamenei named Iran's next Supreme Leader

Iran's Revolutionary Guards pledged allegiance to the country's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

"The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps... is ready for complete obedience and self-sacrifice in carrying out the divine commands of the Guardian Jurist of the time, His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei", the Guards said in a statement.

Also Read: Who is Mojtaba Khamenei? Iran names new Supreme Leader amid war with US, Israel

Mojtaba Khamenei’s family

According to Euro News, Mojtaba Khamenei married Zahra Haddad-Adel in 1999. She was the daughter of prominent conservative politician and former Iranian Parliament Speaker Gholam‑Ali Haddad‑Adel.

Observers "viewed as a strategic alliance between the office of the supreme leader and a conservative technocratic-cultural faction within the political establishment," according to the outlet.

During this period, Gholam‑Ali Haddad‑Adel was solidifying his influence, emerging as a leading figure in Iran’s conservative movement.

Also Read: Smoke over Iran, new Supreme Leader, fresh strikes on UAE, Bahrain: Top updates on US-Iran war | 10 points

According to France 24, Zahra was killed in the same joint US‑Israel airstrike that claimed the life of her father-in-law, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The couple has three children together, though very little is publicly known about them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read More

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