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Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s Supreme Leader, is reportedly emerging as the leading candidate to succeed his father as head of state, according to international media reports.
The 56-year-old is said to be favoured by members of the country’s powerful Assembly of Experts – Iran, the body responsible for selecting Iran’s next supreme leader.
The reports, cited by the The New York Times, indicate that discussions surrounding his possible succession are ongoing, although Iranian state media has not officially confirmed any appointment or decision.
Some Israeli and Iranian opposition media outlets also reported that Mojtaba had already been chosen, but there has been no verification from Iranian government sources.
Mojtaba, the second-oldest son of the late Ali Khamenei, is known for his strong hardline political stance and his reported close relationship with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Although he has not held any formal official position within his father’s administration, he was sanctioned by the United States in 2019 over allegations linked to his political influence.
Analysts quoted by international media suggested that if Mojtaba is selected, it could signal a stronger hardline influence within Iran’s leadership structure, particularly given his ties to security and military institutions.
Political experts also described him as a likely choice due to his perceived closeness to Iran’s security establishment, though they noted that succession decisions remain uncertain until officially announced.
“If he is elected, it suggests it is a much more hard-line Revolutionary Guard side of the regime that is now in charge,” Johns Hopkins University expert on Iran, Vali Nasr, said.
Iran: Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba emerges frontrunner to succeed father as supreme leader
