Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the assassinated Ali Khamenei, is being heavily tipped to succeed his father as supreme leader of Iran. This would place a hardliner in charge of steering the Islamic republic through a turbulent period in its 48-year history and signal a continuation of its current course.
No official confirmation has been given and an announcement may be delayed until after the postponed funeral of Ali Khamenei.
Expert Insight:
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is believed to favor his succession. The Israeli defence minister, Gideon Saar, has warned that Mojtaba Khamenei will be assassinated.
Ayatollah Seyed Khatani, a member of the Assembly of Experts – the body responsible for choosing the new supreme leader – stated that the assembly is close to making a selection.
Mojtaba Khamenei, described as rigid in his anti-western views, is not the candidate former US President Donald Trump would have wanted. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that Iran is run by “religious fanatic lunatics,” a sentiment unlikely to change with Khamenei’s appointment.
Speculation about Mojtaba Khamenei as his father’s successor has existed for over a decade, intensifying after the death of Ebrahim Raisi, the elected president and a favorite of the late supreme leader, in a helicopter crash.
He has been a prominent figure since the late 1990s and was instrumental in restructuring conservative Iranian groups after Ali Akbar Nategh Nuri’s defeat in the 1997 presidential election. He was also accused by reformists of playing a role in suppressing the 2009 protests and allegedly oversaw the legal cases of political prisoners, including Mostafa Tajzadeh and his wife, Fakhr al-Sadat Mohtashamipour.
In 2022, he was granted the title of ayatollah, a necessary step for his promotion. He has since become a regular presence alongside his father at political meetings and holds influence within the Islamic Republic’s Broadcasting Corporation, as well as managing his father’s financial holdings.
His closest political allies include Ahmad Vahidi, the newly appointed IRGC commander; Hossein Taeb, a former head of the IRGC’s intelligence organization; and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the current speaker of the parliament.
His potential appointment has faced resistance from reformists, with former prime minister Mir Hossein Mousavi questioning why the rumors haven’t been officially denied after 13 years. The Assembly of Experts responded by asserting it would select “the most qualified and the most suitable” candidate.
On Tuesday, Israel struck a building in Qom, a significant center for Shia Islam, where the assembly was scheduled to meet, but the building was reportedly empty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is being considered to succeed Ali Khamenei?
Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the assassinated Ali Khamenei, is being heavily tipped to succeed his father as supreme leader of Iran.
What is the role of the Assembly of Experts?
The 88-strong Assembly of Experts is the body responsible for choosing the new supreme leader, and they are currently selecting from a field of six possible candidates.
What has been the reaction to the possibility of Mojtaba Khamenei becoming supreme leader?
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is believed to favor his succession, although reformists have long resisted the idea of a hereditary succession. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed a negative view of Iran’s leadership, and this appointment is unlikely to change that opinion.
As Iran navigates this period of transition, what impact will the selection of its next supreme leader have on the country’s internal policies and its relationship with the international community?
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