Iranians deeply divided over Mojtaba Khamenei's rise to power

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.

For years, there have been rumours that Mojtaba Khamenei held considerable influence behind the scenes in Iran.

Many expect him to continue his father's hardline policies.

A woman in her 20s in Tehran said she believed Mojtaba Khamenei would be "even more oppressive than his dad".

She told the BBC: "I really hope their [senior officials'] lives end in the war, otherwise if we're under his rule, we will all die."

Another Tehran resident in his 30s said: "He's vengeful. They killed his father and he won't let go.

"If he can't take revenge on the US, he will take it out on us ordinary people. I hope that Israel and the US will target him."

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.

The 56-year-old cleric largely kept a low profile during his father's rule, but there were longstanding rumours about his influence as a gatekeeper to the late supreme leader.

In addition to being close to the IRGC, he has been accused of interfering in presidential elections and commanding the paramilitary Basij force.

One woman in her 40s in Tehran said she believed Mojtaba Khamenei was "worse than his dad".

"If he's alive, I think the US and Israel will target him."

Before he was selected as leader on Sunday, "everyone was chanting against Mojtaba," she said, adding: "No-one accepts him except the supporters of this regime."

Supporters convened in Tehran's Enghelab Square on Monday to celebrate their new leader, while Iranian state TV broadcast large crowds gathering to pledge their allegiance on Sunday.

People held pictures of Mojtaba Khamenei and his father, and waved flags as cars sounded their horns.

"Now we are sure that the path will continue with his leadership," one man told Reuters news agency.

A woman described her "profound happiness", saying Mojtaba Khamenei was "very much like his father".

"Of all the possible candidates, he was the most deserving and the one most similar [to the former leader]."

In Karaj, a city near Tehran, one resident said he had not heard much about Mojtaba Khamenei before his appointment.

"Now it will become clear whether Trump has done a deal with them or not. They need to target him," the man in his 20s said.

Another man said he believed "this means that nothing is going to change".

"It's the same path, perhaps even worse," he added. "I don't think that he will last."

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said he had wanted to play a role in the selection of Iran's new supreme leader, and that Mojtaba Khamenei was "unacceptable".

And just hours before the appointment was announced, Trump said that, without his approval, whoever took over was "not going to last long".

Israel also issued a warning before Ali Khamenei's son was confirmed as the new leader, saying it would "continue to pursue every successor".