Iran angered Donald Trump by naming the son of its assassinated supreme leader as his successor – drawing praise from Russian despot Vladimir Putin.

Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed by a cabal of senior clerics days after President Trump said he was an “unacceptable choice”.

An assembly of experts, a body of 88 Islamic scholars selected for their loyalty to the hardline regime, anointed the unknown 56-year-old who has reasserted Tehran’s mission to avenge his father’s death.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, supreme leader of Iran for more than 37 years, was killed in his Tehran bunker during the opening salvos of Operation Epic Fury.

Mojtaba Khamenei was not there, but his mother, wife and daughter were killed in the bombing blitz.

One of the first acts after his confirmation as supreme leader was to order a missile attack on Israel with sirens ringing out in Tel Aviv and the northern city of Haifa.

There were early signs of dissent with brave protesters – defying orders from the brutal Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to stay inside – taking to the streets of Tehran to chant “Death to Mojtaba” in Persian. Among those whose voices could be heard were women.

Mojtaba Khamenei served in the IRGC but President Trump has described him as a “lightweight” adding: “Khamenei’s son (as leader) is unacceptable to me.

“We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”

Middle East experts said that while Mojtaba has operated under the radar he holds money, power and influence. He remains under US sanctions but is said to have amassed a valuable empire of properties around the world, including in London.

In a blistering intervention Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei saying he is “confident” the new leader will continue his father’s work “with honour” and “unite” the Iranian people “in the face of severe trials”.

Putin also confirmed his country’s “unwavering support” for Tehran and “solidarity with our Iranian friends”.

Iran is a longtime ally of Russia and has supplied Moscow with drones to support its war in Ukraine.

Last year Tehran approved a 20-year strategic partnership with Moscow.

While the agreement does not include a mutual defence clause, it states both countries will work together against common military threats, develop their military-technical cooperation, and take part in joint exercises.

Moscow is yet to offer military support to Iran in the Middle East conflict.

Meanwhile, President Trump said ending the war with Iran will be a “mutual” decision with Benjamin Netanyahu.

He said his Israeli counterpart would have input on resolving the conflict, claiming Tehran would have destroyed the state if they had not attacked the regime first.

Asked whether he alone would decide when the conflict ends President Trump said: “I think it’s mutual. We’ve been talking. I’ll make a decision at the right time, but everything’s going to be taken into account

“Iran was going to destroy Israel and everything else around it. We’ve worked together. We’ve destroyed a country that wanted to destroy Israel.”

Middle East experts said that while Mojtaba has operated under the radar he holds money, power and influence. He remains under US sanctions but is said to have amassed a valuable empire of properties around the world, including in London.

In a blistering intervention President Putin congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei saying he is “confident” the new leader will continue his father’s work “with honour” and “unite” the Iranian people “in the face of severe trials”.

Putin also confirmed his country’s “unwavering support” for Tehran and “solidarity with our Iranian friends”.

Iran is a longtime ally of Russia and has supplied Moscow with drones to support its war in Ukraine.

Last year Tehran approved a 20-year strategic partnership with Moscow.

While the agreement does not include a mutual defence clause, it states both countries will work together against common military threats, develop their military-technical cooperation, and take part in joint exercises.

Moscow is yet to offer military support to Iran in the Middle East conflict.

Meanwhile, President Trump said ending the war with Iran will be a “mutual” decision with Benjamin Netanyahu.

He said his Israeli counterpart would have input on resolving the conflict, claiming Tehran would have destroyed the state if they had not attacked the regime first.

Asked whether he alone would decide when the conflict ends President Trump said: “I think it’s mutual. We’ve been talking. I’ll make a decision at the right time, but everything’s going to be taken into account

“Iran was going to destroy Israel and everything else around it. We’ve worked together. We’ve destroyed a country that wanted to destroy Israel.”