Iran’s New Leader Seen as ‘Most Dangerous Man’
This image taken from video provided by Iran state TV shows Mojtaba Khamenei, a son of Iran's slain supreme leader, who has been named as the Islamic Republic's next ruler. (Iran state TV via AP)
Iran has chosen a new supreme leader, and his rise to power may signal that the ongoing conflict will not end anytime soon.
Iran’s Assembly of Experts selected Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to lead the country after his father was killed in airstrikes.
A hardline figure:
The New York Times describes Mojtaba as a mysterious and largely private figure inside Iran. Although he has rarely appeared publicly, he has long been considered influential behind the scenes and maintains close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Mehmet Ozalp of Charles Sturt University told Australia’s ABC that Mojtaba “mainly used his father’s influence and acted as a gatekeeper,” giving him significant power within the political system.
Concerns about escalation:
One associate told The Atlantic that Mojtaba could be “the most dangerous man in the world,” arguing that he is even more ideological and potentially more aggressive than his father.
A signal of a prolonged fight:
According to The Wall Street Journal, Mojtaba’s selection suggests the Iranian regime is preparing for a prolonged confrontation. Analysts say the decision shows hardliners remain firmly in control and represents a rebuff to President Trump, who had demanded a role in the process of selecting Iran’s new leader. Last week, President Trump reportedly called Mojtaba a “lightweight” and said he was “unacceptable to me,” according to Axios.
Personal losses:
Mojtaba Khamenei has reportedly suffered significant personal losses in recent airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel. Reports from Sky News say he lost not only his father, but also his mother, his wife, and one of his children.
A controversial succession:
The choice is notable because Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution overthrew a hereditary monarchy. In the past, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had privately told advisers he did not want his son to succeed him on principle, according to the New York Times. However, analysts say senior clerics, Revolutionary Guard leaders, and other key officials ultimately rallied around Mojtaba. They reportedly believed his experience managing Iran’s security and military structures made him the most reliable choice during a national crisis.
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