Iran's Assembly of Experts has selected Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as the country's new supreme leader. The 88-member assembly made the decision on March 8, just over a week into a fierce conflict with the United States and Israel. Mojtaba Khamenei, born on September 8, 1969, in Mashhad, assumes the highest office following his father's death in an Israeli strike on February 28.
Mojtaba Khamenei is often described as an enigmatic figure, yet simultaneously one of the most influential individuals in Iran's power corridors. He is known for maintaining close ties with the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which many believe dictates the country's policies. The assembly urged the Iranian people to unite behind the new leader.
However, Mojtaba is viewed as a continuation of his father's hardline legacy. U.S. President Donald Trump previously stated that appointing Khamenei's son would be "unacceptable," adding that Iran's new leader would not "last long" if the appointment was not coordinated with Washington. Israel's defense minister last week declared that any successor to Ali Khamenei would be a "target for elimination."
Although the 56-year-old Shiite cleric has largely kept a low profile and never held public office, he wields considerable clout within Iran's complex power structure, particularly the IRGC. His growing political influence became apparent in the mid-1990s, when he was seen surrounded by veterans of the Iran-Iraq war.
Mojtaba Khamenei came to prominence during the 2005 presidential elections, which experts allege he engineered. The new supreme leader purportedly assisted the relatively unknown IRGC figure Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in winning the vote, leading to mass protests in 2009 where chants of "death to Mojtaba" were heard. Reports also emerged of his alleged involvement in suppressing the so-called "green movement."
Mojtaba has faced accusations of financial corruption. According to government insiders, at least 60% of Iran's economy is controlled through holding companies and institutions under Ali Khamenei's oversight, with Mojtaba allegedly managing the finances. A 2026 Bloomberg investigation revealed his holdings include high-value real estate in London and Dubai, as well as interests in shipping, banking, and hospitality assets in Europe, structured through intermediaries.
State media portrays Mojtaba as leading a simple life. He pursued Islamic studies at a seminary in Qom and joined the IRGC in 1987. Accounts suggest he participated in the Iran-Iraq war as a teenager, forging connections that later shaped his political network.
Source: www.dw.com