In a highly confidential gesture, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has reportedly chosen his son, Mojtaba, to succeed him. The apparently ailing 85-year-old leader may soon abdicate, with Mojtaba set to take over under a secret decision by the Assembly of Iranian Experts.

In a highly confidential move, Tehran would have chosen Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, to succeed his father. The 85-year-old leader, who is reportedly ill, could abdicate during his lifetime, with Mojtaba taking over, according to Israeli media Ynetnews, citing Iran International.

Assembly of Iranian Experts

On September 26, 60 members of the Assembly of Iranian Experts met at Khamenei’s request and were tasked with deciding on the succession in complete secrecy. Despite objections to both the decision and the process, assembly members unanimously agreed to appoint Mojtaba as successor.

The assembly agreed to keep the matter confidential due to concerns about possible public unrest. Members were warned of the consequences of leaking meeting details.

Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?

Mojtaba Khamenei, born in Mashhad in 1969, became a key figure in the Iranian political system. He wields significant influence, similar to that of Ahmad Khomeini, the son of Iran’s first supreme leader, and analysts view him as a potential successor to his father. His childhood was marked by the political turmoil of the 1970s, when his father was imprisoned by the Pahlavi regime. After the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the family’s fortunes improved and Mojtaba Khamenei moved to Tehran, where he attended Alavi High School, a prestigious institution for the regime’s elites.

Mojtaba later served in the armed forces during the Iran-Iraq War, building relationships with individuals who would later become important in the Iranian security apparatus, including Hossein Taeb, future head of the IRGC intelligence organization, and Hossein Nejat, commander of the IRGC’s Sarallah headquarters. .

The role of Mojtaba Khamenei over the years

In 1989, after his father became supreme leader following Khomeini’s death, Mojtaba’s role increased. He studied clerical subjects under eminent figures and later moved to Qom to continue his religious education. Although not a mujtahed (high-ranking cleric), Mojtaba’s upbringing was aligned with that of some of Iran’s most conservative figures, such as Ayatollah Mohammad-Taqi Mesbah Yazdi, a staunch defender Iranian nuclear ambitions.

Mojtaba’s political profile began to rise in the 1990s, with his participation in presidential elections. He played a key role in Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s rise to the presidency in 2005. His influence continued in the 2009 elections, where he was said to have played a role in Ahmadinejad’s victory and the suppression of dissent. through the Basij militia.

Influence beyond politics

Mojtaba Khamenei’s influence extends beyond politics. He was associated with significant financial resources and his name appeared in diplomatic cables as someone to whom some of his father’s leadership duties had been delegated. He also played a role in monitoring Iranian state media, including influencing the dismissal of the IRIB director in 2014.

Mojtaba would occupy a position in his father’s office just behind that of chief representative of the Supreme Leader. His growing power is seen by some as a potential path to succeeding his father, although comparisons to his late uncle Ahmad Khomeini, who was sidelined despite speculation about his succession, serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of succession. in Iran.

Mojtaba is married to the daughter of former Iranian Parliament Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel and is considered the most powerful of Ali Khamenei’s sons. Although his brothers hold various positions, Mojtaba’s political and financial influence has made him a key figure in shaping the future of Iranian leadership.

Learn more: Has Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei chosen his successor? Reports suggest his son Mojtaba Khamenei could be next in line