Mojtaba Khamenei, second son of Iran's Supreme Leader, elected as successor [AFP=Yonhap News]

Immediately after Iran's second son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was elected as Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei's successor, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared their unwavering support and vowed allegiance to the new leader.

According to AFP and Reuters on the 9th (local time), the IRGC stated in a released statement immediately after Mojtaba's election as the Supreme Leader that they pledge "complete obedience" and are prepared to follow the directives of the new Supreme Leader.

Mojtaba, who has been consistently mentioned as a strong candidate for the next Supreme Leader since his father Khamenei died in a U.S.-Israeli airstrike last month on the 28th, is known to wield significant influence within the IRGC and intelligence agencies.

Iran International, a London-based dissident media outlet, had previously reported that Mojtaba had been elected as the next leader, suggesting that this outcome was largely due to the pressure exerted by the IRGC.

The IRGC, an armed organization that supports the Islamic theocracy, was established under the constitution of the revolutionary government that overthrew the pro-American monarchy in the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution, and it exists separately from the regular army.

The IRGC is assessed to be responsible for the majority of Iran's military strength, possessing its own ground, naval, and air force organizations separate from the regular army.

IRGC members [Reuters=Yonhap News]

The Basij militia, a paramilitary organization recently deployed to suppress anti-government protests, is also under the control of the IRGC.

Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, who was considered a strong candidate for the next leader alongside Mojtaba, has publicly endorsed Mojtaba.

Larijani stated on the same day that the nation should unite around the new Supreme Leader.

In an interview with state television, he mentioned that the Assembly of Experts bravely convened its meeting amidst ongoing airstrikes in Tehran, and that Mojtaba, having been trained by his father Khamenei, is well-equipped to handle the current situation.

Iran also announced that it had carried out its first missile attack since the emergence of the new Supreme Leader.

According to AFP, state broadcaster IRIB announced via its Telegram channel, "Under the leadership of Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran has launched its first missile attack towards occupied territories," and released a photograph of a missile inscribed with the phrase 'At your command, Sayyid Mojtaba.' Sayyid is a title indicating descent from the Prophet Muhammad.

The Houthi rebels in Yemen, considered a major proxy force for Iran, also welcomed Mojtaba's election as Supreme Leader in a statement published on Telegram.

The Houthis stated, "We extend our congratulations to the Islamic Republic of Iran, its leadership, and its people on the election of Mojtaba Khamenei as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution at this crucial juncture."

They also evaluated the decision as "a new victory for the Islamic Revolution and a strong blow to the enemies of the Islamic Republic."

The Houthis are currently threatening key global trade routes by controlling the entrance to the Red Sea, an area where they have been conducting drone and missile attacks against merchant ships and oil tankers.