Iran secretly chose its next leader, report says

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Tehran has secretly elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khameneias the country’s next leader, Iran International, a Persian-language international media outlet with ties to Iranian regime opponents, reported on Saturday.

According to the report, Mojtaba may take up the role even before the death of his 85-year-old father, who is reportedly suffering from a serious illness.

The report claimed that 60 members of Iran’s Assembly of Experts met on September 26 for a highly unusual meeting at the elder Khamenei’s demand. They were required to decide on the inheritance immediately without prior notice and under strict confidentiality.

Despite initial opposition to both the decision and the process, the assembly eventually reached a unanimous agreement to appoint Mojtaba as the successor after the insistence of the leader and his representatives, which reportedly included direct threats.

The assembly decided to maintain as much silence as possible about the decision due to fear of widespread public protests. Members were warned to keep the meeting confidential with threats of consequences for any leaks. In fact, the details of the meeting were kept under wraps for five weeks.

Concerns about protests stem from the undemocratic nature of the process, heightened by Khamenei’s prior appointment of his second son to the role. Over the past two years, Mojtaba has been groomed into leadership and has assumed a more active and central role in decision-making related to the Iranian regime.

His appointment has thus become a foregone conclusion despite his lack of experience and the absence of formal posts in the government.

Sources familiar with the meeting suggested Iran’s supreme leader could hand the reins to his second son during his lifetime and take steps to prepare for a smooth transition. They believe Khamenei is hoping to secure Mojtaba’s leadership and forestall the expected opposition that may arise after his demise.

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