Khamenei’s son as new leader?

Trump called him “lightweight”

Successor in Iran: Everything points to Khamenei’s son

The succession in Iran has apparently been decided. The first signs point to Khamenei’s son Moschtaba as the new head of the violent regime.

Around a week after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli attacks in Tehran, the responsible body in Iran has appointed his successor. The election of the new spiritual leader of the Islamic Republic has “taken place,” said Expert Council member Ahmad Alamolhoda on Sunday, according to Iran’s state-run Mehr news agency.

The name of the new supreme leader should therefore be announced later. Another member of the expert council indicated that the choice fell on Khamenei’s son, Moschtaba Khamenei.

Other members of the expert council confirmed the election had taken place. Expert Council member Mohammed Mehdi Mirbagheri spoke of a “clear opinion that reflects the majority position” in a video distributed by the regime-affiliated Fars news agency.

Expert Council member Mohsen Hejdari indicated that Khamenei’s son Modshtaba would take over the office. The “most suitable candidate” has been “determined,” explained Hejdari, according to the Isna news agency. Using Tehran’s term for the United States, Hejdari said: “The ‘Great Satan’ also mentioned the choice made by the representatives.”

Hejdari was referring to a statement by US President Donald Trump, who, after Khamenei’s killing, ruled out his son Moschtaba as a successor and claimed a say in the decision for himself.

Khamenei’s son was “unacceptable” for him, Trump said on Thursday. “We want someone who will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” the Axios platform quoted him as saying. He didn’t mention any names. The US President also described Moschtaba Khamenei as a “lightweight”.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in Tehran on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli attacks. For a week now, his son Moschtaba’s name has been circulating as the most promising candidate for successor. Hassan Khomeini, grandson of former revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, was also considered a candidate.

After the killing of Khamenei, Israel had already declared that it also wanted to kill his successor. On Sunday, the Israeli army announced on the online service X in Persian that it would target members of the council for the election of the new leader. “We want to inform you that the State of Israel will continue to closely monitor any successor and anyone who wishes to appoint one.” The army also reiterated its warning “to anyone considering attending this meeting to elect a successor.” “We will not hesitate to attack you.”