Who is Mojtaba Khamenei? A son of Iran's late supreme leader is a rising contender to replace him
PBS • • nation
Key Points:
- Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is considered a leading contender to succeed his father despite never holding an official government position; his profile has risen following the Israeli airstrike that killed his father and wife.
- Mojtaba is believed to be alive but in hiding amid ongoing American and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, with state media silent on his whereabouts; hard-liners view his family as martyrs, potentially boosting his support among the Assembly of Experts responsible for selecting the next supreme leader.
- He has long wielded significant behind-the-scenes influence, acting as a gatekeeper and power broker within Iran's leadership and Revolutionary Guard, and was sanctioned by the U.S.
