Amid a confrontation with Israel, Iran has a crisis at home. Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei is said to be seriously unwell, and his second son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been chosen to lead the Shia Islamic nation. Reports say that Mojtaba could take over even before his father’s death. This could have ramifications for Iran, given the situation in West Asia.
Iran International reported that Mojtaba Khamenei had secretly been chosen to lead Iran as its supreme leader. The report by Iran International, a Persian-language media outlet with links to Iranian rebels, was quoted by Ynet News.
The report by Iran International comes just weeks after The New York Times reported on a secret battle in Iran to succeed Ali Khamenei as the supreme leader.
li Khamenei is 85, and his health condition has been deteriorating for some time now.
He appeared in public on October 4, with a rifle beside him, to address Iranians and lead the prayers for Hasan Nasrallah, Hezbollah chief, who was killed in an Israel attack.
In its report, Iran International claimed that a surprise meeting was convened on September 26 of the 60 members of Iran’s Assembly of Experts on Ali Khamenei’s orders.
The Assembly members were asked to decide on his successor immediately.
“Despite initial opposition to both the decision and the process, the Assembly ultimately reached a unanimous agreement to designate Mojtaba as the successor following the leader’s and his representatives’ insistence, which allegedly included direct threats,” reported YNet News, quoting the Persian media outlet.
It was threats that helped keep the meeting and its outcome under wraps for five weeks, according to the reports.
