Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader?

Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader?

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, as the nation’s new head of state. This decision highlights the country’s ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel, reinforcing a strategy of resistance. Mojtaba, born on September 8, 1969, in Mashhad, is the second son of Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on February 28, 2020.

The 88-member Assembly of Experts formally chose Mojtaba as the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader on March 8, just days after escalating tensions with the U.S. and Israel. Known for his elusive nature, Mojtaba is believed to wield significant influence within Iran’s political hierarchy, particularly through his ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which many see as the dominant force in the country.

State media portray Mojtaba as a man of modest means, but reports suggest he holds considerable power in shaping Iran’s economic and political landscape. Government insiders claim that at least 60% of the country’s economy operates through entities under Ali Khamenei’s control, such as the Mostazafan Foundation and the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee. Mojtaba is alleged to oversee these financial operations.

“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight,”

stated U.S. outlet Axios, quoting former president Donald Trump. Trump had previously called Mojtaba’s appointment “unacceptable,” warning that the new leader would not “last long” without coordination with Washington. Israel’s defense minister echoed concerns, declaring that Mojtaba’s successor would be “a target for elimination.”

Though Mojtaba has remained relatively low-profile and never held public office, his political maneuvering became evident in the 2005 presidential elections. Experts suggest he played a key role in elevating Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, an IRGC-affiliated figure, to power. This move reportedly weakened former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who chose to stay silent despite the shift. Mehdi Karroubi, another candidate, accused Mojtaba of meddling in the vote.

Four years later, Mojtaba faced similar allegations. Ahmadinejad’s re-election sparked widespread protests, with demonstrators chanting “death to Mojtaba” as they opposed his father’s succession. During the unrest, Mojtaba was linked to efforts to suppress the “green movement,” a pro-reform faction. Additional claims of financial corruption emerged, citing his ownership of high-value real estate in London and Dubai, as well as interests in European shipping and banking sectors.

According to a 2026 Bloomberg investigation, Mojtaba’s assets are structured through intermediaries and layered corporate entities across multiple jurisdictions. Despite his father’s death, he is seen as a continuation of Ali Khamenei’s hardline policies, maintaining the regime’s confrontational stance toward the West.