Who Is Mojtaba Khamenei—Supreme Leader's Son in Spotlight After Raisi Death

The son of Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been thrust into the spotlight following the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

The president died in a helicopter crash on Sunday and has since been declared a martyr by the Iranian regime and religious leaders.

A presidential election is to be held in Iran within 50 days of a president's death, according to the country's constitution. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will serve as interim president until then.

The fallout following Raisi's death could end up being more than the presidential position. Raisi was widely regarded to be the favorite to be the eventual replacement for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who, at 85 years old could be nearing the need to endorse a successor.

Attention now turns to the Supreme Leader's son Mojtaba Khamenei, who some experts have speculated could eventually take the top position in Iran.

Former Department of State adviser on Iran Gabriel Noronha wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "The key takeaway is not really who succeeds Raisi. It's the fact that the next Supreme Leader is most likely Ali Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei.

"Internal pundits had believed the competition to succeed Khamenei as Supreme Leader was down to Mojtaba and Raisi. If Raisi is dead, Mojtaba becomes heir apparent."

Noronha told Newsweek: "At 55 years old, Mojtaba could potentially preside over the Islamic Republic for decades if the regime is not overthrown.

"He shares his father's ideological outlook, but the decisions he makes on foreign policy, on nuclear weaponization, and how to craft a path on social and religious issues will be hugely consequential to see whether the regime survives."

Mojtaba does not have a huge public profile, but the regime has long been accused of paving the way for him to take over.

Khamenei has essentially denied this, most recently through a member of the Assembly of Experts—senior officials who elect a Supreme Leader—Mahmoud Mohammadi Araghi.

In March, Araghi said in an interview with the Iranian state news agency ILNA that Khamenei was against the idea of endorsing his son for Supreme Leader because it would amount to hereditary leadership—something the regime would face backlash for as the Islamic Republic identifies as a democracy and not a monarchy.

Noronha said on X: "A question is whether anyone else would rise to challenge Mojtaba in the internal machinations. If not, it's his for the taking.

"And then we are set for the Islamic Republic to open itself up (rightly) to accusations that it has effectively become a hereditary monarchy - just in radical Islamic clothing.

"This would make it harder for the regime to differentiate itself from its predecessor Pahlavi government."

Noronha added in comments to Newsweek: "Mojtaba has already started taking over some of the minor duties of his father as Supreme Leader.

"Most importantly, he has been very close to the IRGC and the so-called revolutionary forces in the regime which pull many of the strings and seek perpetual confrontation with the West.

"He had been amassing influence networks with the powerful cadres, and especially with members of the Assembly of Experts, the 88-person body tasked with selecting the next Supreme Leader."

Newsweek has reached out to the Iranian Mission to the United Nations for comment.

Critics of Mojtaba, the second of Khamenei's four sons, have expressed concerns over what they say has been his behind-the-scenes involvement in decision-making.

During the 2005 elections in Iran, reformist leader Mehdi Karroubi wrote a letter to Khamenei about what he called "Mojtaba's interventions" in supporting Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was ultimately elected as president.

Karroubi was voicing an opinion that others have also alleged, that elections are being used to clear the path of reformist candidates so no one will stand in the way of Mojtaba Khamenei ascending to Supreme Leader.

When Ahmadinejad won a second term in 2009, the results were widely contested and a huge uproar was triggered in Iran—and met with a harsh crackdown from the regime.

Protesters chanted "Mojtaba you will die, but won't be the leader," according to reporting from Middle East Eye, an independent new organization.

Araghi told ILNA that those within the regime who are in favor of Mojtaba praised his extensive knowledge of Sharia law. He was born in the city of Mashhad and is a cleric like his father, meaning he is seen as a religious leader.

Until the election, Mokhber will be helped by the Speaker of Parliament and the Head of the Judiciary as part of a three-person council responsible for organizing the elections.

The Iranian government issued a statement on Monday, expressing its sorrow at losing what it called a "hard-working and tireless" leader, promising that there "will not be the slightest disturbance" in the administration.

Update 5/20/24, 5:10 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comments from Noronha.