Unveiling the Influence of Iran's New Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei
Uncover the lesser-known story behind Mojtaba Khamenei, the powerful second son of Iran's late supreme leader, and his impact on the country's politics and dissent.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the late Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, has long been regarded as a shadowy figure wielding significant power behind the scenes. While he maintains a low public profile, his influence has been felt in the crushing of dissent and the shaping of presidential elections in the country.
Born in 1969, Mojtaba Khamenei has been a key player in Iran's power structures, despite his relative anonymity. He is believed to have close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and has been accused of involvement in the violent suppression of protests, including the 2009 Green Movement and the 2019 fuel price protests.
One of Mojtaba's primary roles has been to serve as a conduit between his father, the late Ayatollah Khamenei, and the country's political and security apparatus. He is said to have played a crucial role in the 2009 presidential election, where he is believed to have intervened to ensure the victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over the reformist candidate, Mir-Hossein Mousavi.
Source: NPR
