Iran's New Supreme Leader 'Obsessed with End Times' and 'More Dangerous' Than Father
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is reportedly unafraid of 'killing thousands' and will 'try and control the region' if war escalates, according to explosive revelations from an exiled former official. Jaber Rajabi, a former foreign policy advisor to Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who has lived in exile in the UAE since 2021, studied alongside Mojtaba at a religious seminary in Qom and has now spoken out to warn of the new leader's extreme and dangerous nature.
Former Study Partner Reveals Ruthless Character
Rajabi, who shared classrooms with Mojtaba Khamenei at The Qom Seminary—the most prestigious centre for Islamic scholarship in Iran—described him as 'obsessed with the end of days.' He claimed that Mojtaba believes 'he himself will have a special part in hastening humanity down that path.' This apocalyptic mindset is rooted in Twelver Shia theology, which anticipates the return of the 12th Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, to establish global justice.
According to Rajabi, Mojtaba is 'more dangerous' than his father and a 'better liar.' He explained, 'Mojtaba will not, from the first day in power, claim to want to take Al-Quds (Jerusalem). He is opposite to his father, who gets angry, and it is visible… Mojtaba can lie in a much better way and knows how to play.' This suggests a more calculated and deceptive approach to leadership that could pose greater regional threats.
Disregard for Human Life and Nuclear Ambitions
Rajabi highlighted Mojtaba's alleged disregard for human life, stating, 'If he can kill 13,000 of his own people, then he has no problem killing 100,000 in Tel Aviv, because if you don't care about the lives of your own people, why would you care about the lives of others?' This chilling assessment underscores the potential for extreme violence under his rule.
Furthermore, Rajabi linked Mojtaba's ambitions to Iran's nuclear programme, noting, 'I remember Khamenei spoke in Hawza studies and said the nuclear issue and the soldiers are his heritage. Mojtaba's ambitions will not be impacted by airstrikes. They need the nuclear issue as a protection for their regime and their hegemony in the region.' This indicates that the new Supreme Leader may pursue nuclear capabilities aggressively to secure regional dominance.
Injuries and Mysterious Absence from Public View
The revelations come as Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, is reportedly hospitalised with serious injuries sustained in the same strike that killed his father. Iranian authorities announced him as the new Supreme Leader on Sunday, but he has not been seen in public since. Alireza Salarian, Iran's ambassador to Cyprus, confirmed to the Guardian that Mojtaba was injured in the attack on his father's compound in Tehran, suffering wounds to his legs, hand, and arm.
Salarian suggested that Mojtaba's injuries and a desire to avoid scrutiny from Israel and the US are behind his absence, stating, 'I don’t think he is comfortable to give a speech.' Iranian officials, however, claim he remains alert and is sheltering in a secure location with limited communication.
Regional Tensions and Threats
Mojtaba's ascension has heightened regional tensions. Described as a 'vengeful' hardline cleric, he has been marked for assassination by Israel, which vowed to 'eliminate' whoever succeeded the slain Ayatollah. The strike that killed his father also claimed the lives of his wife, Zahra Haddad-Adel, and one of his sons. In response, former US President Donald Trump has ramped up threats, warning Iran to brace for 'death, fire and fury.'
Iranian state TV has referred to Mojtaba as a 'wounded veteran' of the 'Ramadan war,' though details of his injuries remain vague. His apocalyptic beliefs, combined with his reported ruthlessness and strategic cunning, suggest a volatile and potentially more aggressive leadership style that could destabilise the Middle East further.
