Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is widely expected to succeed his father, signalling a continuation of hardline anti-western policies. The 55-year-old cleric is believed to be the preferred candidate of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and his appointment would indicate that Iran's leadership is not seeking rapprochement with the United States.
No official confirmation has been made, and the announcement may be delayed until after Ali Khamenei's funeral, which was postponed on Wednesday. Ayatollah Seyed Khatani, a member of the Assembly of Experts—the body responsible for selecting the new leader—said the assembly is close to making a decision.
Mojtaba Khamenei, born in 1969, studied theology and served in the Iran-Iraq war at age 17. He rose to prominence in the late 1990s after the defeat of his father's preferred presidential candidate. He was instrumental in suppressing the 2009 election protests and has since held significant influence over state media and his father's financial empire.
His rumoured appointment has drawn criticism from reformists, who oppose its hereditary nature. Former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi noted that rumours of succession have persisted for over a decade. The Assembly of Experts has dismissed doubts, insisting it will select the most qualified candidate.
Israel struck a building in Qom where the assembly was scheduled to meet, but the building was empty, according to IRGC-affiliated media. Israeli Defence Minister Gideon Saar has warned that Mojtaba Khamenei will be assassinated.
