Iran, Mar. 04: The Assembly of Experts, a body of Shia religious scholars, has elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of slain leader Ali Khamenei, as Iran’s new supreme leader.
The Assembly of Experts has chosen Ali Khamenei’s son Mojtaba as the next supreme leader, Iran International reported, citing sources.
The development comes after Ali Khamenei’s death. Khamenei’s assassination in the wake of US-Israeli attacks has escalated armed conflicts across West Asia. The position of supreme leader holds ultimate authority over all matters of state, including control over Iran’s armed forces and the powerful Revolutionary Guard.
Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?
Mojtaba Khamenei is the second son of the recently deceased Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. His elevation could be politically sensitive, as the Islamic Republic has long been critical of hereditary rule and has seen itself as an alternative to the monarchy.
Known as a mid-level cleric, Mojtaba served in Iran’s armed forces during the Iran-Iraq War. He has long-standing ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran’s powerful military and security agency, which expanded its influence in political, military and economic spheres during his father’s rule.
The IRGC, designated a terrorist organization by the United States in 2019, has played a key role in supporting Mojtaba. The IRGC has exerted significant pressure on the clerical establishment to select Mojtaba.
Mojtaba is said to be effectively holding the office of supreme leader, and is considered by many analysts to be a key powerhouse within the system. His connections to the IRGC and experience in the armed forces are expected to influence the country’s decision-making process at a regionally sensitive time.