Image Credit: The Guardian
Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the late Ali Khamenei, has been strongly considered to succeed his father as the supreme leader of Iran, representing a continuation of hardline policies during a turbulent period for the Islamic Republic.
Official confirmation is pending, especially following the postponement of Ali Khamenei’s funeral. Mojtaba is reportedly favored by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Gideon Saar has expressed concerns about his potential assassination. Ayatollah Seyed Khatani, from the Assembly of Experts—which elects the new leader—indicated that a decision is nearing.
The choice is seen as aligning with the views of U.S. officials who have criticized Iran’s leadership. Donald Trump warned this move could lead to a leadership “as bad as the previous one.”
Mojtaba is among six candidates being considered by the 88-member Assembly. Born in 1969 and engaged in theology, Mojtaba gained prominence in the late 1990s after the electoral defeat of a Khamenei-backed candidate.
He has been implicated in suppressing the 2009 protests and has been influential within state media. His close allies include key IRGC figures and prominent political leaders.
As speculation rises about his succession, reformists, including former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi, have long dismissed such hereditary appointments as conspiratorial.
The Assembly of Experts has stated it will select the “most qualified” candidate. Recently, Israel targeted a site in Qom related to the assembly.
