Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader is in a coma and remains critically ill, according to the media reports. Amid concerns over his health, the country’s Assembly of Experts has allegedly chosen his second son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as his successor during a secretive meeting on September 26 according to the media reports.
Over the last two years, Mojtaba Khamenei has been gaining influence within the regime. Despite rarely appearing in public, he is known for his role in suppressing the 2009 post-election protests. In 2021, he was granted the title of Ayatollah, fulfilling the constitutional requirements to become Supreme Leader.
According to the media reports, the Assembly of Experts faced significant pressure to reach an unanimous decision, including warnings from Khamenei’s representatives. The decision to appoint Mojtaba was kept secret to avoid public backlash, according to the media reports. The Assembly allegedly resolved to maintain strict confidentiality, fearing widespread protests if the news were leaked. The report claimed, “Members were warned of severe consequences for any leaks”.
Khamenei has held the position of Supreme Leader since 1989 following the death of Ruhollah Khomeini, the first to hold the title. Speculation about his successor has grown in recent years, especially following the death of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash last May.
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