Key facts
- Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new supreme leader, has not appeared publicly since his father's death.
- Authorities attribute his absence to security concerns.
- Officials assert Mojtaba Khamenei remains involved in decision-making and is recovering from injuries.
- The IRGC reportedly supported Mojtaba Khamenei's succession, overcoming resistance.
- Mojtaba Khamenei was previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2019.
Iran is observing state funeral ceremonies for its recently deceased Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid speculation surrounding the health and public presence of his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei. Mojtaba, who was selected in March, has remained out of sight since the strike that killed his father in February, with authorities citing security concerns. Unlike his father, who was a dominant public figure for decades, Mojtaba has maintained a low profile, communicating through written messages. However, officials state he is actively involved in decision-making and recovering from his injuries. President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed meeting with him in May. Mojtaba has cautiously endorsed a recent memorandum of understanding between Iran and the U.S. aimed at ending the ongoing war. He amassed significant influence through his close ties to the IRGC and its business empire, positioning him as a powerful behind-the-scenes figure. Sources suggest the IRGC advocated for his succession, viewing him as more pliable than his father and supportive of hardline policies, despite some clerical and political figures' reservations about his religious credentials and the optics of a hereditary succession. Mojtaba was elevated to the rank of ayatollah upon his naming as supreme leader. He has also been a focus of public anger during protests, particularly following the 2022 death of a young woman in police custody. The U.S. Treasury had previously sanctioned Mojtaba in 2019 for his role in advancing his father's regional and domestic objectives.