Donald Trump reacted cautiously to reports of Mojtaba Khamenei’s rise in Iran, as attention turns to the cleric’s influence and past sanctions.
Mojtaba Khamenei, widely seen as an influential figure within Iran’s clerical establishment, has drawn global attention following reports that he has been chosen as the country’s new Supreme Leader. | Photo source: X/@Xfiles1111
Mojtaba Khamenei, the influential cleric long seen as a key figure behind Iran’s power structure, has drawn a sharp reaction from US President Donald Trump after news surfaced that he has been chosen as the country’s new Supreme Leader.
“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me,” Trump had earlier said while commenting on the possibility of Mojtaba Khamenei rising to Iran’s highest office.
Advertisement
The remarks underline the international scrutiny surrounding Mojtaba’s appointment by Iran’s Assembly of Experts following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. With this announcement, the 56-year-old cleric has inherited sweeping authority over Iran’s political system, armed forces, and key state institutions.
Advertisement
When asked about the development in a phone interview cited by The Times of Israel, Trump avoided a detailed response, saying only: “We’ll see what happens.”
Mojtaba Khamenei is the second-oldest son of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and has for years been regarded by analysts as one of the most influential figures within the Islamic Republic’s ruling establishment.
Although he has never held a formal government position, Mojtaba is widely believed to have exercised considerable influence inside the Office of the Supreme Leader.
Observers say he helped manage key aspects of the office in practice and maintained close links with powerful institutions, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Mojtaba is described as a mid-ranking cleric who served in Iran’s armed forces during the Iran-Iraq war. Over time, his growing links with the Revolutionary Guard strengthened his position inside Iran’s tightly knit power system.
International attention on Mojtaba Khamenei is not new.
In November 2019, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on him, accusing him of representing the then Supreme Leader in an official capacity despite never being elected or appointed to a government role.
According to the US Treasury, Ali Khamenei had delegated part of his authority to Mojtaba, who worked closely with commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force and the Basij Resistance Force.
The Treasury said the two forces were involved in advancing Iran’s regional ambitions and enforcing domestic policies.
Over time, his growing links with the Revolutionary Guard strengthened his position inside Iran’s tightly knit power system.
Some reports have also claimed that Mojtaba Khamenei has access to luxury properties in London and financial accounts in Switzerland, the UK, and Liechtenstein.
Israeli media outlets have, meanwhile, described Mojtaba as holding more hardline views than his father and alleged that he played a role in the violent suppression of protests in Iran.
Advertisement
