Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei Plans to Replace Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei

Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is reportedly preparing to remove Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei from his position as head of Iran's judiciary. According to opposition outlet Iran International, Mohseni-Ejei, a senior figure in Iran's leadership, is expected to complete his first five-year term without renewal, breaking a nearly four-decade tradition of judiciary chiefs serving two consecutive terms. The move is not aimed at judicial reform but is part of a broader reshuffling of power centers following recent conflicts, with Mojtaba Khamenei seeking to install more loyal figures in key government institutions.

Mohseni-Ejei has faced increasing criticism from hardline factions within Iran, particularly after the disclosure of National Security Council members who supported a memorandum of understanding with the United States, a stance seen as conflicting with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's position. Official and semi-official sources have also expressed dissatisfaction with Mohseni-Ejei's performance during his tenure. In a recent message marking Judiciary Week, Ali Khamenei emphasized the need to implement reforms and combat corruption but did not explicitly endorse Mohseni-Ejei's continuation.

Following this, Mohseni-Ejei sent a letter defending the judiciary's achievements and pledging to continue judicial reforms in line with the Supreme Leader's directives. However, some establishment-aligned media criticized the timing of his letter, interpreting the Supreme Leader's reiterated demands as implicit criticism of Mohseni-Ejei's effectiveness. Meanwhile, media linked to Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and President Ebrahim Raisi suggest that the attacks on Mohseni-Ejei are driven by ultra-hardline factions aiming to sow discord among Iran's leadership and undermine the post-conflict political order.

Iran International's report gains credibility as it was the first to reveal that the Assembly of Experts intends to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei as the next Supreme Leader, succeeding Ali Khamenei. If removed, Mohseni-Ejei would be among the first senior officials replaced in Mojtaba Khamenei's effort to consolidate control over the judiciary, security apparatus, and political power centers in Iran.