Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has reportedly been selected as the country's next top authority, according to reports. The claim has now been denied by the Iranian Consulate General in Mumbai. According to an Iran International report, citing sources in the know, Iran's Assembly of Experts had elected the 56-year-old cleric to assume the leadership left vacant after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's assassination in joint United States-Israel strikes on Iran. Who is Mojtaba Khamenei? Here's all we know about him.
Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?
56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei is the second-eldest son of the late leader and has for years been viewed by observers as a potential successor, despite holding no formal public office. However, he is believed to have effectively managed much of the Office of the Supreme Leader. Analysts often refer to him as a power broker operating out of sight.
A mid-ranking cleric, Mojtaba, reportedly served during the Iran-Iraq war and is said to maintain close ties with the Guard. He has largely stayed out of the public eye, rarely giving speeches and seldom appearing in state media.
According to Iran International, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps pushed for Mojtaba's succession. "The IRGC heavily pressured the assembled group of clerics to select Mojtaba as the regime’s new leader," the outlet reported. There has been no immediate confirmation from Iranian state authorities.
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A controversial succession
A father-to-son handover would not be without controversy. Since the 1979 revolution, the Islamic Republic has framed itself as an alternative to monarchy, rejecting hereditary rule. A dynastic-style transition could test that claim and invite scrutiny, both inside Iran and abroad.
Who is the Supreme Leader? Why is the post important?
The Supreme Leader stands at the centre of Iran's political system, with the final say on foreign policy, defence and key state matters. The Supreme Leader also serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, including the Revolutionary Guard, which was designated a terrorist organisation by the United States in 2019.
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