Recent reports are suggesting that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 85-year-old Supreme Leader of Iran, might have selected his second son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as his successor. This news comes at a time when concerns about Khamenei’s health are growing. Many people on social media platforms like X are speculating that he may have fallen into a coma, but these claims have not been confirmed by Iranian officials.
In late September, a private meeting of Iran’s Assembly of Experts took place, where around 60 members gathered in strict secrecy, Ynet News reports. This meeting was reportedly called by Khamenei and focused on discussing the succession plan. Inside the meeting, there were indications of intense pressure and intimidation aimed at the assembly members to ensure they reached a unanimous decision regarding who would take over next.
According to livemint.com, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke to university students on November 2 and was last seen in public about a week ago. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been an influential figure in Iranian politics over the past few years. He once played a role in suppressing the protests that erupted after the 2009 presidential elections, as per The Times of India.
The news outlet also reported that he was given the title of ayatollah, which is an important requirement for anyone aspiring to become the Supreme Leader. This achievement has been a key part of his growing political career. Mojtaba’s selection as a potential successor appears to take the spotlight away from other key players, like the current President Ebrahim Raisi, despite the former not having much experience in formal governance.
Since 1989, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been the Supreme Leader of Iran, making him the longest-serving leader in the Middle East. As of the time of writing, the Iranian government has not yet addressed the rumors about who might succeed him or provided any updates on his health.