Name of Khamenei's successor announced

In Iran, a new supreme leader has been selected to replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who lost his life as a result of attacks by the US and Israel. The Assembly of Experts, tasked with determining Iran's supreme leader, announced in a statement today that Khamenei's successor has been chosen. However, the name of the new leader has not yet been disclosed to the public.

According to a report by DW, it was claimed last week that this name would be Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei. It was also alleged that the decision in question was made before the Assembly of Experts' selection meeting under pressure from the Revolutionary Guards.

WHO IS MOJTABA KHAMENEI?

56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei is known in Iran as a figure who generally operates behind the scenes. Although he does not appear much in public, Khamenei is considered one of the country's influential figures. Born in Mashhad in 1969, Mojtaba Khamenei is known for his closeness to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. After finishing high school, he joined the Habib Battalion, which consisted of volunteers affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, and served in the Iran-Iraq war that lasted between 1980 and 1988. It is believed that he established significant ties to Iran's security structure during this period.

In 1989, his father Ali Khamenei was elected to the position of supreme leader following the death of Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran. After his father began his duties, Mojtaba Khamenei stayed in the city of Qom for a long time for religious education and established connections with the country's religious leaders. However, it is also emphasized that he does not hold high-level religious titles in Iran, meaning he has not received titles such as Ayatollah or Mujtahid.

KHAMENEI'S POWER BEHIND THE SCENES

It is noteworthy that Mojtaba Khamenei does not appear much in public but operates effectively behind the scenes of Iran's religious leadership structure. Khamenei influenced the country's political and religious structures by making important decisions behind the scenes in his father's office. Wikileaks documents contained allegations that Mojtaba Khamenei listened to his father's phone calls and built a power base for himself in Iran.

WILL THE OPPRESSIVE LINE CONTINUE?

The new supreme leader is expected to continue Ali Khamenei's harsh and oppressive policies. In particular, the role he played in suppressing the protests that began after the 2009 presidential elections provides clues about the policies followed by Mojtaba Khamenei. Iran experts state that it is possible for Mojtaba Khamenei to follow a more oppressive line in the country's administration. Vali Nasr, an Iran expert at Johns Hopkins University, stated that Mojtaba Khamenei had long been planned as a successor, but this plan was paused for a while in recent years.

DEEP TIES TO THE REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS

Iranian dissidents describe Mojtaba Khamenei as a figure who has established deep ties with the Revolutionary Guards. Speaking to the London-based broadcaster Iran International, Dr. Eric Mandel, Director of the Middle East Political and Information Network (MEPIN), stated that Mojtaba Khamenei is an actor who influences the regime in Iran and that the ties he established with the Revolutionary Guards are effective in shaping the regime's oppressive policies.

THREAT TO THE NEW LEADER FROM ISRAEL

While news about who the new supreme leader will be has caused repercussions worldwide, a harsh statement also came from Israel. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated in a post on his X account, "Every leader chosen will be a target that must be eliminated. Their name or where they are hiding does not matter at all," indicating that the new leader should be killed. This statement has led to concerns that the tension between the Iranian regime and Israel could escalate further.

News Source: 12punto