Iran's Next Leader? Ayatollah Khamenei's Son Rises to Prominence
As Iran's aging Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's health declines, his son Mojtaba is emerging as a leading contender to succeed him, despite lacking broad public support.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is increasingly being viewed as a top contender to succeed his father as the country's next supreme leader. Despite lacking widespread public support, Mojtaba has been steadily consolidating power within Iran's political and security establishment, positioning himself as a potential heir to the Ayatollah's vast authority.
The 52-year-old Mojtaba has long been a shadowy and influential figure in Iranian politics, serving as a senior adviser to his father and wielding significant influence over the country's intelligence and security services. In recent years, he has taken on an increasingly public role, appearing alongside his father at major events and being granted greater access to the levers of power.
{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}}Ayatollah Khamenei, who is now 83 years old and has battled health issues, has not officially named a successor. However, many analysts believe that Mojtaba has emerged as the front-runner, with the backing of key elements within Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard and other hardline factions.
Source: The New York Times
