Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: Could he be Iran’s next supreme leader?

Iranian state media on Sunday confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei amid continued US-Israeli air strikes, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

Under Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution, a temporary three-person council has assumed leadership duties. The council comprises President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and a jurist from the Guardian Council. Iranian law mandates that the 88-member Assembly of Experts select a new Supreme Leader as soon as possible.

Who is Mojtaba Khamenei

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, is widely regarded as an influential figure within the office of the Supreme Leader. He is known to maintain close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian intelligence apparatus.


He served in the Iranian armed forces during the Iran-Iraq War as a member of the IRGC and later pursued advanced religious studies in Qom. In recent years, state-affiliated media have referred to him as Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, a title viewed by some observers as reinforcing his religious credentials.

The Iranian Constitution requires the Supreme Leader to be a just and pious jurist recognised as an authority in Islamic law. His elevation to the rank of ayatollah has been interpreted by some as strengthening his qualifications under these criteria.

Succession process and potential contenders

There is no officially designated successor to Khamenei. The selection will be made by the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body responsible for appointing the Supreme Leader. While several names have emerged as possible contenders, the process remains confidential.

Among those considered a frontrunner is Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s second son. However, constitutional sensitivities regarding hereditary succession have raised questions about his prospects.