Iran announced on Monday that Mojtaba Khamenei will take over as the new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, amid escalating tensions with the United States and Israel. Mojtaba’s appointment signals the continued dominance of hardliners in Tehran.
Born in 1969 in Mashhad, Iran, Khamenei grew up during his father’s leadership against the Shah regime and later served in the Iran-Iraq war. He received religious education in Qom and holds the clerical title of hojjatoleslam. Despite not holding any official government position, he is considered a key figure in the Islamic republic, often seen as the gatekeeper to his father.
Khamenei’s selection as supreme leader by the Assembly of Experts, a body of 88 clerics, has sparked controversy in Iran due to concerns about dynastic politics. Critics question his credentials, as hojjatoleslam ranks below ayatollah, the title held by his father and the founder of the Islamic republic, Ruhollah Khomeini.
Having close ties to senior clerics and the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Khamenei wields significant influence across Iran’s political and security institutions. Known for his hardline stance, he has opposed engagement with the West and is perceived as more conservative than his father.
The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Khamenei in 2019, citing his involvement in advancing his father’s regional ambitions and domestic objectives. President Trump has expressed disapproval of Khamenei, preferring a leader who promotes peace and harmony in Iran.
Khamenei’s leadership is met with skepticism by protesters, who have criticized his role in the country’s security apparatus and his handling of dissent.
