Khamenei's son Mojtaba named Iran's new supreme leader
Iran’s powerful Assembly of Experts has reportedly selected Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as the country’s next top authority, according to media reports citing informed sources.
The London-based outlet Iran International said the decision was taken under significant pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The move has not yet been formally announced and is expected to be made public only after Ali Khamenei’s burial.
Separately, The New York Times reported that senior clerics met on Tuesday to deliberate over succession, with Mojtaba emerging as the leading candidate, citing three Iranian officials familiar with the discussions.
Observers describe the reported selection as an extraordinary wartime measure rather than a routine constitutional transition. Iran is facing heightened external military pressure and internal uncertainty, prompting what analysts say is a push for swift consolidation of authority at the top.
Under Iran’s constitution, the Assembly of Experts is tasked with appointing and supervising the supreme leader. However, critics argue that the opaque process and the reported role of the IRGC raise questions about transparency and procedural norms.
According to Iran International, the IRGC backed Mojtaba Khamenei to ensure stability within the ruling establishment. Maintaining unity across security forces and preventing factional rivalry appear to have been central considerations.
Mojtaba is said to have longstanding ties with the IRGC and deep connections within its command structure. For years, he has reportedly acted as a liaison between his father and the Guards while playing a key role in managing the supreme leader’s office, known as the Beit.
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