TEHRAN — The election followed a period of conflict described as the early days of the war. Alekasir stated that three hospitals in Tehran were bombed on February 28. He stated that Mojtaba Khamenei was in the third hospital bombed and was pulled from the rubble.

He also stated that Mojtaba Khamenei was injured prior to the outbreak of the Israel-US-Iran war. An Iranian cleric who spoke on Qatari television stated that Mojtaba Khamenei was pulled from the rubble of a hospital in Tehran after the United States and Israel bombed the medical center.

Questions regarding Khamenei's health have been addressed by Iranian officials. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that he met with Mojtaba Khamenei for approximately seven hours one month prior to the interview. Pezeshkian stated that Mojtaba Khamenei is "completely" healthy and able to govern.

He attributed Mojtaba Khamenei's reclusiveness to a lack of security created by foreign aggressors. Alekasir stated that Mojtaba Khamenei's lack of public appearances is due to security dangers facing him and members of the Assembly of Experts.

Former US President Donald Trump offered a different assessment of Khamenei's condition. Trump stated that Mojtaba Khamenei was seriously wounded on the left side of his body but believed he was not dead. US intelligence reports suggest Mojtaba Khamenei was badly disfigured in attacks.

He provided context on Khamenei's role prior to his election. He denied that former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei recommended his son Mojtaba as his successor. He stated that Mojtaba Khamenei held no official political position during his father's reign.

He described Mojtaba Khamenei as a "shadow man" who served as an advisor to his father. Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei previously served as Vakil of the Supreme Leader during his father's rule.

Why It Matters

The election of Mojtaba Khamenei consolidates leadership within the Khamenei family while occurring during external pressure and internal disruption. The destruction of documents at the Qom Secretariat affects the verification of the election results, though Alekasir affirmed the legitimacy of the process. The reported bombing of hospitals and the secretariat indicates ongoing security dangers facing the country's leadership structures.

Khamenei's background includes involvement in previous domestic unrest and military service. In the Green Movement, Mojtaba Khamenei oversaw the vetting of candidates Council and coordinated the state's response to protests, positioning himself as a key gatekeeper within the regime. Mojtaba Khamenei was involved in the Green Movement crackdown, which solidified his reputation among hardliners as a leader who would not flinch in the face of domestic unrest. Additionally, Mojtaba Khamenei served in the Habib Battalion during the Iran-Iraq War, forging close ties with IRGC commanders that would later become the foundation of his political influence.

What's New

Ayatollah Mohsen Heidari Alekasir stated that Mojtaba Khamenei received 50 of 59 votes in the Assembly of Experts election for Supreme Leader. He stated that Mojtaba Khamenei was unaware he had been selected as Supreme Leader until the announcement was broadcast on state television.

He stated that Mojtaba Khamenei was legally and religiously obligated to accept the role of Supreme Leader once selected. He stated that the Assembly of Experts' Qom Secretariat was bombed, killing eight people and destroying documents regarding the selection of a new Supreme Leader. He stated that the Assembly of Experts determined Mojtaba Khamenei met the requirements of religious qualification, justice, and competence.