Last update:November 17, 2024, 08:31 IST

Reports indicate that Ali Khamenei may abdicate before his death and let his son succeed him in the post.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (Reuters Image)

Maintaining high confidentiality, Tehran has secretly chosen Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as his successor, according to media reports.

Ali Khamenei, 85, who suffers from a serious illness, could abdicate before his death and his son Mojtaba could assume this role during his father’s lifetime, according to the Israeli media ynetnews which cites Iran International, a Persian-language newspaper. international media with links to opponents of the Iranian regime.

According to reports, 60 members of the Assembly of Iranian Experts met on September 26 at Khamenei’s request and were ordered to make a decision on succession immediately and with utmost confidentiality.

Assembly members threatened with secrecy: reports

The Assembly ultimately reached unanimous agreement to choose Mojtaba as Khamenei’s successor despite their opposition to both the decision and the process of that decision. However, the leader and his representatives insisted that these measures also be accompanied by direct threats.

The decision to maintain maximum secrecy was taken out of fear of widespread public protests. Assembly members were given warnings to keep the meeting and its details confidential. They were threatened with reprisals if they leaked, according to reports.

Details of the meeting remained secret for five weeks.

Why the secrecy?

Fears surrounding the protests stem from the undemocratic nature of the succession process, further amplified by Khamenei’s earlier selection of his second son for the role. Over the past two years, Mojtaba has strategically prepared to take on a leadership role, increasingly assuming a central role in the Iranian regime’s decision-making.

His appointment therefore became inevitable despite his lack of experience and his non-participation in formal positions within the government.

Ali Khamenei could abdicate and hand over the reins to his second son during his lifetime and thus ensure a smooth transition, sources close to the meeting said, according to media reports.

Khamenei hopes to make a leader out of his son, anticipating the anticipated opposition and protests that could arise after his death, they said.