Khamenei secretly chose his son as Iran’s next leader, may abdicate before death: reports

Last updated:November 17, 2024, 08:31 IST

Reports indicated that Ali Khamenei may abdicate before his death and let his son succeed him in the post.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (Reuters photo)

Tehran has maintained high secrecy and secretly selected Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as his successor, according to media reports.

85-year-old Ali Khamenei, who is reportedly suffering from serious illness, may abdicate before his death and his son Mojtaba may assume the role while his father is alive, according to Israeli news outlet ynetnews, citing Iran International, a Persian-language international media , who have ties to opponents of the Iranian regime.

According to the reports, 60 members of Iran’s Assembly of Experts gathered on September 26 at Khamenei’s demand and were ordered to immediately make a decision on the succession in the utmost confidentiality.

Assembly members threatened with confidentiality: Reports

The assembly finally reached a unanimous agreement to select Mojtaba as Khamenei’s successor, despite their opposition to both the decision and the process of the move. However, they were insisted on by the leader and his representatives, which reportedly also included direct threats.

The decision to maintain maximum secrecy was made for fear of widespread public protests. Assembly members were issued warnings to keep the meeting and its details confidential. They were threatened with consequences for any leaks, the reports said.

The details of the meeting were kept secret for five weeks.

Why the secrecy?

Fears surrounding the protests stem from the undemocratic nature of the succession process, further heightened by Khamenei’s earlier selection of his second son for the role. Over the past two years, Mojtaba has been strategically groomed for leadership and has increasingly assumed a central role in the Iranian regime’s decision-making.

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

Ali Khamenei may abdicate and hand the reins to his second son during his lifetime, ensuring a smooth transition, sources familiar with the meeting said, according to the reports.

Khamenei hopes to establish his son as a leader and pre-empt the expected opposition and protests that may arise after his death, they said.