The Rise of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s New Supreme Leader
Iran’s Assembly of Experts has selected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, as the country’s new spiritual and political head. This decision marks a significant shift in the leadership of the Islamic Republic, especially as the regime continues to face intense conflict with the United States and Israel.
Mojtaba Khamenei was born on September 8, 1969, in Mashhad. He is the second son of Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli strike on February 28. On March 8, the 88-member Assembly of Experts officially named him as the new supreme leader, just over a week into a fierce war with the US and Israel. His selection signals a continuation of the hardline policies that have defined the Iranian regime for decades.
Mojtaba is often described as enigmatic, yet he holds considerable influence within Iran’s power structure. He has maintained close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which many believe exerts significant control over the country’s political and military affairs.
The Assembly of Experts urged the Iranian people to support the newly chosen leader and “keep unity.” However, Mojtaba is seen as a continuation of his father’s legacy and hardline rule. U.S. President Donald Trump previously criticized the appointment, stating it would be “unacceptable” and predicting that the new leader would not “last long” if not coordinated with Washington.
“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight,” Axios quoted Trump as saying. Meanwhile, Israel’s defense minister recently stated that whoever becomes Ali Khamenei’s successor would be a “target for elimination.”
A Hardline, Controversial Figure
Despite his low public profile and lack of formal political office, Mojtaba Khamenei is known to wield considerable power within Iran’s complex political system. His influence is particularly strong among the IRGC, which has been instrumental in shaping the country’s policies.
Government officials became aware of Mojtaba’s growing influence in the mid-1990s. He was often seen surrounded by IRGC fighters and commanders returning from the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988). Mojtaba came into the spotlight during the 2005 presidential elections, which experts suggest he orchestrated. He allegedly helped Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a relatively unknown figure from the IRGC, win the election.
This move left former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani politically weakened, though he remained silent. Mehdi Karroubi, another candidate, accused Mojtaba of interfering in the election and facilitating Ahmadinejad’s rise to power.
Four years later, Mojtaba faced similar accusations when Ahmadinejad was re-elected, sparking mass protests across Iran. Some protesters chanted “death to Mojtaba” during the demonstrations.
During those turbulent months, reports emerged about Mojtaba’s increasing role in suppressing the so-called “green movement,” a pro-democracy protest that challenged the legitimacy of the 2009 election.
Financial Assets and Alleged Corruption
There have also been allegations of financial corruption involving Mojtaba Khamenei. According to government insiders, at least 60% of Iran’s economy operates through holding companies and institutions under Ali Khamenei’s control, including the Mostazafan Foundation and the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee. Mojtaba is said to have overseen these financial operations.
A 2026 Bloomberg investigation revealed that Mojtaba’s assets include high-value real estate in London and Dubai, as well as interests in shipping, banking, and hospitality sectors in Europe. These assets are reportedly held through intermediaries and complex corporate structures across multiple jurisdictions.
Early Life and Development
State media portray Mojtaba as a man who lives a simple life. After completing his secondary education at Alavi School, he entered the Qom seminary, where he studied under influential clerics. His early life was shaped by his father’s involvement in the fight against the Shah’s monarchy.
Ali Khamenei spent seven years in Sardasht and Mahabad cities in northwest Iran, where he received his early education. He joined the IRGC in 1987 after finishing high school.
In 1999, Mojtaba pursued Islamic studies in Qom city to become a cleric. Reports from sources close to the IRGC and Iran’s security institutions suggest that Mojtaba participated in the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s. At around 17 years old, he joined a battalion, and several members of this group later became key figures in the Islamic Republic’s intelligence and security apparatus, often gathering around Mojtaba.
Not many people in Iran, including his father Ali Khamenei, anticipated that Mojtaba would one day become the country’s supreme leader.
