Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has emerged as the leading contender to succeed his father as Iran’s Supreme Leader following the latter’s death in a US-Israel attack. A hardline cleric, he has never held public office but has wielded significant influence for decades within his father’s inner circle and maintains deep ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

His ascension, reportedly supported by hardline factions, would effectively create a dynasty, echoing the pre-revolution monarchy. It also signals a likely hard approach, diminishing prospects for negotiation with the West in the immediate future. Mojtaba himself survived the strike that killed his father and other family members.

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