Mojtaba Khamenei is the son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The process of selecting a Supreme Leader, the criteria involved, and how Ali Khamenei was chosen in a single day are all crucial aspects to understand.

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The recent death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a significant attack orchestrated by Israel and the United States has thrown the future of the Islamic Republic into uncertainty and heightened the risk of regional instability.

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Reports are surfacing that Mojtaba Khamenei is being considered as Iran’s new Supreme Leader.

Iranian state television and the state-run IRNA news agency confirmed the death of the 86-year-old leader early Sunday. U.S. President Donald Trump had announced his death just hours earlier, claiming it provided Iranians their “greatest chance” to “take back” their country.

The announcements followed a coordinated U.S. and Israeli aerial bombardment targeting Iranian military and governmental sites. Trump stated that the “heavy and pinpoint bombing” would continue throughout the week or as long as necessary.

This marked a significant escalation in U.S. intervention in Iran, being the second attack by the Trump administration within eight months during negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. The assassination of Khamenei, who had been in power for decades, is expected to create a substantial leadership vacuum due to the lack of a clear successor and the supreme leader’s ultimate authority over all major policies.

In response, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has threatened to initiate its “most intense offensive operation” ever against Israel and U.S. bases.

Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?

Mojtaba Khamenei is an Iranian cleric and a significant political figure, recognized as the second-eldest son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Born on September 8, 1969, in Mashhad, Iran, he has long been perceived as one of the most powerful members of Iran’s clerical elite, despite not holding formal government positions.

Mojtaba pursued religious studies at the Qom Seminary and advanced within conservative clerical circles, establishing strong connections with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij militia. He briefly served in the IRGC during the Iran-Iraq War and later became deeply involved in Iranian political matters behind the scenes, often acting as a key adviser and gatekeeper within the Supreme Leader’s office.

Although he has never held an official government role, Mojtaba’s influence arises from his control over essential clerical and security networks, his support for hardline political figures, and his involvement in internal security decisions, including alleged participation in the suppression of protests following the disputed 2009 election.

His behind-the-scenes power and status as the Supreme Leader’s son have led to frequent speculation regarding his potential succession to leadership, particularly after other prominent contenders (like former President Ebrahim Raisi) have either passed away or been sidelined. Critics argue, however, that he lacks the top clerical rank and broad legitimacy typically expected of a Supreme Leader, and that dynastic succession would be contentious within Iran’s republican framework.

In addition to his clerical role, investigations have linked Mojtaba to substantial financial networks and assets abroad, showcasing his economic influence beyond Iran’s religious and political realms.

How is the Supreme Leader Chosen?

The Supreme Leader of Iran is selected through a constitutional process defined by the Islamic Republic’s system.

• Who Has the Authority? An 88-member clerical body, elected by the public every eight years (candidates are vetted), is responsible for appointing, supervising, and, if necessary, dismissing the Supreme Leader.
• What Happens Immediately After the Leader’s Death? Under Article 111 of Iran’s Constitution, a three-person interim council (the President, the head of the judiciary, and a senior cleric from the Guardian Council) assumes duties temporarily until a new Leader is selected.
• How the Successor Is Selected: The Assembly of Experts meets urgently to review candidates who must be senior Islamic jurists, politically and religiously qualified, and capable of leadership under Iran’s Islamic system. They vote internally (majority decision).
• Behind-the-Scenes Power Dynamics: While the Assembly makes the formal decision, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) holds significant informal influence, and elite consensus often shapes the outcome before the formal vote.
• Possible Types of Successors: Analysts often discuss a hardline cleric aligned with the security establishment, a politically experienced figure, or a compromise candidate to maintain stability.
• How long does it take? Constitutionally, the process should be as quick as possible. Practically, it is likely to take days to weeks, not months, as Iran has prepared succession mechanisms since the 1989 transition from Ruhollah Khomeini to Khamenei.

How was Ayatollah Ali Khamenei picked in 1989?

The process was completed in a day. Following the death of Ruhollah Khomeini on June 3, 1989, Iran’s Assembly of Experts convened in an emergency session the next day to appoint a new Supreme Leader.

At that time, the constitution required the leader to be a top-ranking cleric (a marjaʿ), but there was no clear consensus candidate, and Khomeini’s designated successor had already been removed. The Assembly debated whether to appoint a leadership council or a single leader and ultimately opted for one individual.

Despite not meeting the highest clerical rank required under the constitution, then-President Ali Khamenei was supported by influential figures, including Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, and was elected Supreme Leader. Shortly thereafter, a constitutional referendum removed the marjaʿ requirement, effectively validating his selection. The transition was completed within a day, ensuring political stability at a critical time for the Islamic Republic.

With Agency Inputs

First Published: March 01, 2026, 12:09 IST

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