Israel believes Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded but still alive after targeted strike
Israeli security officials believe Mojtaba Khamenei, a son of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a leading candidate to succeed him, is still alive after an airstrike earlier this week. Israeli assessments indicate that Mojtaba was wounded in the attack.
Mojtaba, the second-eldest son of the Supreme Leader, is widely seen as the front-runner to become the next head of the Islamic Republic, according to a report by the New York Times on Tuesday. The report followed claims from the opposition outlet Iran International that Mojtaba had already been chosen by the Assembly of Experts, citing “informed sources.”
The Times added that senior clerics responsible for selecting the next supreme leader could make an announcement as soon as the following day. However, some Iranian officials reportedly have reservations about officially declaring Mojtaba as leader, fearing it could increase the likelihood of him being targeted by the United States and Israel.
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin said that on Tuesday, the IDF struck the Qom headquarters of the 88-member Assembly of Experts, which is tasked with electing the new supreme leader. Defrin described the body as central to appointing what he called Iran’s next “terror chief” and said the IDF would continue to monitor and target related efforts.
An Iranian opposition report suggested that the building was largely empty at the time of the strike. Defrin noted last week that the IDF was still awaiting information on the strike’s results.
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