Iran’s Assembly of Experts is preparing to announce Mojtaba Khamenei as supreme leader despite opposition within the body and concerns over his lack of formal legitimacy.
Iran’s Assembly of Experts signaled readiness to announce a new supreme leader, pointing to Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the likely successor. Assembly member Ayatollah Mohammad Mahdi Mirbagheri said while “some obstacles” remain, there is nearly a consensus, according to semi-official media Mehr News Agency. Reports suggest the announcement was delayed due to fears that Mojtaba could be targeted by Israel or the United States.
Some Assembly members voiced opposition to the appointment, citing Mojtaba’s lack of religious legitimacy and concerns about monarchy-like perceptions. Sources indicated that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself opposed his son’s potential succession. Eight of the 88 Assembly members reportedly refused to attend the vote, highlighting divisions within the clerical body over the choice of leader.
Mojtaba Khamenei has no formal government experience but fought in the Iran-Iraq War and earned the clerical rank of Hujjat al-Islam. Reports say he has forged close ties with senior IRGC leaders, including Ahmad Vahidi and Hossein Taeb, as well as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The decision comes amid heightened regional tensions and pressure from the Revolutionary Guards.