Mojtaba Khamenei Survives US-Israel Airstrikes: What This Means for Iran’s Future Leadership

Mojtaba Khamenei[AP=Yonhap News file photo][AP=Yonhap News file photo]

Reuters reported on March 3rd that Mojtaba Khamenei, widely considered the frontrunner to become Iran’s next supreme leader, survived U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that claimed the lives of numerous high-ranking Iranian officials.

According to sources cited by Reuters, Mojtaba survived the attack that resulted in the death of his father, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The assault reportedly targeted Khamenei’s residence, resulting in the deaths of four family members, including his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter.

Iranian authorities are said to be seriously considering Mojtaba as the next supreme leader.

The New York Times, citing Iranian officials, reported that the Assembly of Experts, the constitutional body responsible for selecting the supreme leader, has deliberated on this succession plan.

Sources indicate that the Assembly conducted two video conferences on the day of the attack and is contemplating officially announcing Mojtaba as the successor on the morning of March 4th.

Iran International, a London-based opposition media outlet, has reported that Mojtaba has already been selected as the next leader.

The outlet suggests that this decision was influenced by pressure from the hardline-dominated Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

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Jang Hyo-in (hijang@yna.co.kr)