TEHRAN,(Parliament Times):
Mojtaba Khamenei has emerged as a leading candidate to succeed his late father, Ali Khamenei, as Iran’s supreme leader, following his death in an airstrike, according to Iranian sources.
At 56, Mojtaba is regarded as an influential mid-ranking cleric who has spent years consolidating support within Iran’s religious and security institutions. Having developed close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), he is considered by many within the establishment to be well-positioned for the country’s highest authority.
Observers say Mojtaba has built considerable influence behind the scenes, often described as his father’s “gatekeeper.” His connections within the IRGC, particularly among younger hardline members, are seen as a significant source of strength. Kasra Aarabi of United Against Nuclear Iran noted that Mojtaba enjoys strong backing within the Guard’s ranks and has effectively operated in a role similar to a “mini supreme leader.”
The responsibility for choosing Iran’s next leader lies with the Assembly of Experts. Senior cleric Ahmad Khatami has indicated that deliberations are nearing completion, with an announcement expected soon.
The supreme leader holds ultimate authority over key state matters, including foreign policy, defence strategy, and the nuclear programme. While Western nations have long expressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Tehran maintains that its programme is intended solely for civilian purposes.
If selected, Mojtaba would assume leadership at a time of mounting economic pressure due to US sanctions and periodic domestic unrest. He has consistently aligned with conservative factions, opposing reformist calls for greater engagement with the West and expanded civil freedoms.
Born in 1969 in Mashhad, Mojtaba grew up during the revolutionary period that reshaped Iran’s political system. He later served in the Iran-Iraq war and pursued advanced religious studies in Qom, earning the clerical rank of Hojjatoleslam. Despite never holding an official government position, he has long been perceived as a key figure within his father’s inner circle.
His prominent yet unofficial role has drawn criticism from those wary of dynastic succession in a republic founded after the 1979 revolution. In 2019, the United States Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on him, alleging that he exercised authority in an official capacity without holding elected office.
Mojtaba’s name also surfaced during the nationwide protests in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. Demonstrators accused senior officials of suppressing dissent, placing additional scrutiny on figures close to the leadership.
Speculation about succession intensified after the 2024 death of former president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, which removed another prominent conservative from consideration.
Although critics argue that Mojtaba’s clerical rank is below that traditionally held by a supreme leader — a position previously occupied by his father and Islamic Republic founder Ruhollah Khomeini — his institutional backing and longstanding influence have kept him firmly in contention as Iran prepares for a leadership transition.