Iran’s Hidden Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Remains a Mystery Amid Power Struggles

Mojtaba Khamenei, the secretive new Supreme Leader of Iran, remains largely unseen and enigmatic, according to Israeli Iran expert Benny Savati from the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). Despite rumors about his health and whereabouts following the February 28 attack that killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, intelligence and his messaging suggest Mojtaba is alive but mentally fragile. He reportedly receives intelligence and issues directives through a small circle within the Revolutionary Guards, avoiding electronic communication.

Savati explains that Mojtaba is the first Supreme Leader who does not personally verify the implementation of his orders, allowing his intermediaries considerable autonomy, which harms his image and authority. Born in the late 1960s and raised under his father's strict religious influence, Mojtaba has long been associated with hardline and dogmatic factions. He gained prominence around 2005 for allegedly influencing the election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and pushing extremist policies.

There are conflicting reports about Mojtaba’s physical condition, with some intelligence indicating severe facial injuries from the attack, which may explain his absence from public view. While some messages attributed to him might be altered or written by others, the tone and content reflect his known rhetoric, emphasizing revenge and the legacy of his family.

Ultimately, Savati stresses that real power in Iran lies with the Revolutionary Guards, who can maintain control regardless of Mojtaba’s status. This ongoing power dynamic could persist for years, making Mojtaba’s survival or death less critical than the Guards’ influence.

The podcast episode also touches on the recent US-Saudi agreement and its implications for regional normalization, inviting listeners to explore broader geopolitical shifts.