Who is Mojtaba Khamenei ? How ideologies of Ayatollah son could shape Iran new course

ibtimes.co.in · Mar 2, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 's son Mojtaba KhameneiTwitter Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes, triggering a leadership vacuum at the top of the Islamic Republic and setting off intense speculation over his possible successor. Among the names drawing attention is Mojtaba Khamenei, the second-eldest son of the late leader, long viewed as an influential but behind-the-scenes figure within Iran's power structure. Senior official Ali Larijani signalled that a temporary leadership mechanism would be activated to ensure continuity. He said an interim council comprising the president, the head of the judiciary and a jurist from the Guardian Council would assume responsibilities until a new Supreme Leader is selected, according to The Times of Israel. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 's son Mojtaba KhameneiTwitter How it works A clerical council comprising 88 members, known as the Assembly of Experts, will have to deliberate on candidates and appoint a new supreme leader. This panel also retains the power to depose one as well; such a case has never occurred. The council is also made up of Iran's sitting president, the head of the country's judiciary and a member of the Guardian Council chosen by Iran's Expediency Council, which advises the supreme leader and settles disputes with parliament. The panel consists entirely of Shia clerics who are popularly elected every eight years and whose candidacies are approved by the Guardian Council, Iran's constitutional watchdog. Shia Muslims make up the majority religion in Iran. That body is known for disqualifying candidates in various elections in Iran, and the Assembly of Experts is no different. The Guardian Council barred former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, a relatively moderate whose administration struck the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, from election for the Assembly of Experts in March 2024. However, a father-to-son transfer in the case of a Supreme Leader might infuriate supporters of the system as well as Iranians who are already against religious leadership. Some may see it as un-Islamic and in line with creating a new, religious dynasty after the 1979 collapse of the US-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's government. Additionally, candidates must have 'political experience' as per the law. Mojtaba reportedly fails on this account, the institute noted. This is because despite running the Office of the Supreme Leader, de facto, he's had no formal political roles in the regime. Who is Mojtaba Khamenei? Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, is widely regarded as one of the most influential yet opaque figures in Iran's ruling system. Born in Mashhad in 1969, he grew up during the revolutionary struggle against the monarchy of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. His father, then a prominent cleric, was repeatedly arrested and exiled by the Shah's security forces. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution transformed the family's fortunes, Mojtaba moved to Tehran, where he attended the elite Alavi High School, an institution known for producing regime insiders. He later pursued religious studies in Tehran and Qom, studying under prominent conservative clerics, including Ayatollah Mohammad-Taqi Mesbah Yazdi, according to state news agency UANI. Although Mojtaba is a mid-ranking cleric and not an ayatollah, he has long been considered a powerful behind-the-scenes figure in the Office of the Supreme Leader. Analysts often compare his role to that of Ahmad Khomeini, son of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who served as gatekeeper and confidant during his father's rule. Mojtaba's influence is believed to stem from his close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He served in the Habib Battalion during the Iran-Iraq War and is said to have built lasting relationships with figures who later rose to senior positions in Iran's security apparatus, including intelligence and Basij commanders. Over the years, he has been accused by political rivals and foreign governments of playing a role in election politics and security crackdowns. He was sanctioned by the United States in 2019 under an executive order targeting individuals linked to Iran's Supreme Leader. The US Treasury said at the time that Ali Khamenei had delegated aspects of his authority to his son, who was described as representing the leader in an official capacity despite holding no elected office. Despite his proximity to power, Mojtaba's potential succession would face significant hurdles. Iran's constitution requires the Supreme Leader to be a senior cleric with recognised religious authority and political competence. Mojtaba does not currently hold the rank of ayatollah, and father-to-son succession remains deeply sensitive in a system founded on the overthrow of a hereditary monarchy. Nevertheless, some analysts argue that his strong relationships within the IRGC and the broader security establishment could bolster his candidacy, especially if influential factions rally behind him. Unofficial campaigns in recent years have reportedly sought to elevate his religious credentials, though critics within the clerical establishment remain wary. Under Iran's constitution, the 88-member Assembly of Experts is responsible for selecting the next Supreme Leader. The body assesses eligible clerics and appoints one who meets the required religious and political qualifications, according to CNN. The constitution also allows for an interim leadership arrangement, ensuring executive authority continues while the Assembly deliberates.