Iran’s potential new hardline billionaire leader is facing significant threats from Israel due to his appointment signaling Tehran’s defiant stance. Motjaba Khamenei, a war veteran, is expected to resist pressure from Israel and the US, escalating regional violence. He managed to evade military strikes for five days by utilizing Tehran’s extensive tunnel network, believed to be deep underground.
His appointment was swiftly confirmed after two virtual meetings by Tehran’s Assembly of experts, following a disrupted voting location in Qum due to bombings by the US and Israel. Despite his immense wealth and elite status in Tehran, he is favored by hardline supporters and leads the city’s security apparatus.
Mojtaba, known for his hardline views against the West, has also shown a more worldly side with reported property holdings in the UK and wealth stashed in Swiss accounts. As the second son of Khamenei, he is seen as a prospective successor with strategic acumen and close ties to Iran’s elite military force, the IRGC.
Having played a significant role in running Tehran during his father’s sheltered period, Mojtaba’s influence within Iran’s political and security landscape is widely acknowledged. His late wife, a prominent figure in Tehran society, was killed in an air strike, further escalating tensions with Israel. The US and Israel have reportedly targeted him since the conflict began.
Israeli officials have already identified him as a target, emphasizing the threat he poses to Israel’s security. Mojtaba’s rise to power highlights Tehran’s aggressive stance against external forces and its continued defiance in the face of international pressure.