Iran’s potential new hardline leader is set to become a multi-billionaire, bringing a significant threat from Israel. The appointment signals Tehran’s aggressive stance, with Motjaba Khamenei, a war veteran, expected to resist pressure from Israel and the US, prolonging regional conflict.
Known for surviving military strikes by utilizing Tehran’s extensive underground tunnel system, Motjaba’s swift and modern appointment as the leader of Tehran’s security apparatus followed remote meetings after a planned vote location was bombed. Despite his immense wealth, inherited from his late father, Motjaba is favored by hardliners, despite his opulent lifestyle.
Despite his strong anti-Western stance, influenced by his father’s beliefs, Motjaba has shown a more worldly side, with properties in the UK and substantial wealth in Swiss accounts. As the second son of Khamenei, he has long been seen as a potential successor and is known for his strategic prowess and close ties with Iran’s elite military force, the IRGC.
Although never holding a formal role in his father’s regime, Motjaba wields significant influence in Iran’s political and security realms. His late wife, a prominent figure in Tehran society, was killed in an airstrike, further fueling tensions with Israel. Facing threats of assassination, he has already been targeted by US-Israeli strikes since the conflict began.
The appointment of Motjaba by the Assembly of Experts, reportedly under pressure from the IRGC, underscores his pivotal role in Iran’s leadership despite his lack of official titles. His background as a mid-ranking cleric and service in Iran’s armed forces during the Iran-Iraq war has solidified his position within the country’s power structure.
