Iran's New Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khamenei Ousts Judiciary Chief Breaking 40-Year Tradition

Mujtaba Khamenei, the newly appointed Supreme Leader of Iran, has decided not to extend the term of Ebrahim Raisi's predecessor, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, as head of the judiciary after his initial five-year term. This unprecedented move breaks a four-decade tradition in which judiciary chiefs served two consecutive terms to ensure stability within Iran's judicial and security systems. Sources inside Iran told Iran International that Mujtaba Khamenei, who recently succeeded his father Ali Khamenei, is consolidating power by appointing loyalists to key positions amid recent leadership changes and the aftermath of the latest regional conflict.

The decision to remove Mohseni-Ejei, considered one of the most powerful figures in the Islamic Republic, is part of a broader reshuffle aimed at reshaping Iran's power balance. The move follows intense pressure from hardline conservative factions critical of Mohseni-Ejei, especially after it was revealed he supported a controversial memorandum of understanding with the United States, contradicting the senior Khamenei's stance. Public signs of dissatisfaction appeared in state-affiliated media, and Mujtaba Khamenei notably refrained from endorsing Mohseni-Ejei during Judiciary Week, instead urging the judiciary to implement the late Ali Khamenei's directives, emphasizing anti-corruption, public rights protection, and reducing lobbying influence.

In response, Mohseni-Ejei issued a humble public letter defending his tenure and pledging to continue judicial reforms. However, pro-establishment media criticized the timing and necessity of this letter, suggesting the judiciary under his leadership failed to deliver tangible results. Internal political rivalries are intensifying, with factions aligned with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and President Masoud Pezeshkian accusing hardliners around Saeed Jalili of destabilizing the post-war political order. Meanwhile, human rights organizations highlight that Mohseni-Ejei has long been a key figure in Iran's repressive apparatus, overseeing harsh sentences against protesters, journalists, and minorities, and warn that replacing him with Mujtaba Khamenei's loyalist will not improve human rights without deep structural reforms.