Mojtaba Khamenei's name used as political weapon in Iran factions

Key Points:

• Rival political factions in Iran are increasingly invoking Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s authority to attack opponents and protect their positions amid uncertainty about his active governance.
• Conflicting reports emerged about President Masoud Pezeshkian’s relationship with Mojtaba Khamenei, including disputed claims of resignation threats and a secretive, brief meeting between the two.
• Experts describe the political system as an "Islamist oligarchic mafia," where Mojtaba Khamenei’s name serves as a unifying yet contested symbol of power amid factional infighting over control and economic interests.
• Some analysts and journalists question whether Mojtaba Khamenei is capable of governing, suggesting he may be incapacitated or possibly deceased, contributing to a leadership vacuum and intensified factional struggles.
• The prolonged absence of public appearances or verifiable communication from Mojtaba Khamenei raises doubts about his status, with experts warning that continued uncertainty could exacerbate internal conflicts within Iran’s ruling elite.