Following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the US-Israeli attacks, his son Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei has been elected the new Supreme Leader.
The 88-member Assembly of Experts made this decision.
Digital Desk, New Delhi. Following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the US-Israeli attacks, the 88-member Assembly of Experts has elected his son Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader.
Who is Mojtaba?
Born in Mashhad in 1969, Mojtaba spent his childhood at a time when his father was emerging as a prominent religious leader against Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The 1979 Islamic Revolution transformed the family’s fortunes and placed them at the center of the new state.
After moving to Tehran, Mojtaba attended Alawi High School, renowned for training regime insiders. He then pursued religious education in Qom, where he came into contact with conservative religious leaders. However, despite decades of seminary, he failed to attain the rank of Ayatollah.
According to Iran’s constitution, the Supreme Leader must hold a high religious position. Therefore, Mojtaba’s religious status has been a subject of debate among senior religious leaders. During the Iran-Iraq War, Mojtaba served in the Habib Battalion, during which he cultivated relationships with individuals who later rose to high positions in Iran’s security and intelligence agencies.
Never Held Any Office
Although Mojtaba never held an elected position or government post, insiders believe he served as a gatekeeper to the Supreme Leader’s office, a role similar to the one his son, Ahmad Khomeini, once played for Ruhollah Khomeini.
Analysts believe Mojtaba’s influence stems from his strong ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC plays a decisive role in Iran’s politics, economy, and security policy.
In 2019, the US imposed sanctions on Mojtaba. It was alleged that Ali Khamenei delegated some of his powers to his son, who was acting in an official capacity without public accountability.
What are the allegations?
Reformist leaders and foreign governments have accused Mojtaba of interfering in elections and supporting security operations. However, Iranian officials have consistently denied these allegations.
According to a Bloomberg report, Mojtaba has a vast investment network. His exact net worth is unknown, but he has built a global property empire and invested billions of dollars in Western markets.
Debate over succession
Notably, Ali Khamenei had named three senior religious leaders as his potential successors, and his son’s name was not included. The transfer of power from father to son challenges the fundamental narrative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which opposes hereditary rule.
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