Mojtaba Khamenei Tipped to Succeed Father as Iran's Supreme Leader
Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Iran's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, is being heavily tipped to succeed his father as the country's next head of state. This potential appointment would place a staunch anti-western hardliner at the helm during one of the most turbulent periods in Iran's 48-year history, offering a clear signal that the Islamic republic has no intention of altering its course or seeking accommodation with the United States.
Selection Process and Political Backing
No official confirmation has been provided yet, and the announcement may be delayed until after Ali Khamenei's funeral. The choice of supreme leader is made by the 88-member Assembly of Experts, which is reportedly close to selecting from a field of six candidates. Mojtaba Khamenei is believed to be the preferred candidate of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a powerful military and political force in Iran.
Israeli Defence Minister Gideon Saar has issued a stark warning, stating that Mojtaba Khamenei will be assassinated if appointed. This adds to the heightened tensions in the region, with Israel recently carrying out strikes on Tehran and Beirut, while Iran has targeted US bases in the Gulf.
Mojtaba Khamenei's Background and Rise
Born in 1969, Mojtaba Khamenei studied theology after high school and served in the Iran-Iraq war at age 17. He gained public recognition in the late 1990s, particularly after the landslide defeat of his father's preferred candidate, Ali Akbar Nategh Nuri, in the 1997 presidential election. This loss prompted conservative groups to restructure, with Mojtaba playing a central role.
He was instrumental in suppressing the 2009 protests following allegations of election rigging, with his name chanted in the streets by those holding him responsible. In 2022, he was granted the title of ayatollah, essential for his promotion, and has since been a regular figure at his father's political meetings. He also holds influential positions in the Islamic Republic's Broadcasting Corporation and manages his father's substantial financial empire.
Political Alliances and Reformist Resistance
Mojtaba Khamenei's 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 parliament. However, his rumoured appointment has long been resisted by reformists, who criticise its hereditary nature.
Former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi questioned the ongoing speculation in 2022, asking why authorities do not deny such intentions if they are not pursuing them. The Assembly of Experts has dismissed these doubts, insisting it will select the most qualified candidate.
International Reactions and Implications
Rigid in his anti-western views, Mojtaba Khamenei is not the candidate desired by figures like Donald Trump, who has warned that a successor as bad as the previous leader would be the worst-case scenario. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has labelled Iran's rulers as "religious fanatic lunatics," an opinion unlikely to be dispelled by Khamenei's appointment.
Speculation about his succession has persisted for over a decade, intensifying after the death of Ebrahim Raisi, the elected president and favourite of Ali Khamenei, in a helicopter crash. The potential leadership shift comes as Iran navigates ongoing conflicts and diplomatic strains, with the Assembly of Experts' meeting location in Qom recently targeted by Israeli strikes, though the building was empty at the time.
