Mojtaba Khamenei
Encyclopedia
Mojtaba Khamenei is an Iranian hard-line cleric and the second son of Ali Khamenei
, the Supreme Leader of Iran
. Mojtaba has reportedly taken control over the Basij
militia being used to suppress the protests over the 2009 election and is also reported to be "being groomed" to succeed his father as Supreme Leader.
Mojtaba is affiliated with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He supported Ahmedinejad in the 2005 and 2009 presidential elections. Journalists have stated that he may "have played a leading role in orchestrating" Ahmadinejad's electoral victory, that he may be "a key figure in orchestrating the crackdown against anti-government protesters" in June 2009, and directly in charge of the paramilitary Basij
, a blackout of his name in the regime press notwithstanding. In an open letter, Mehdi Karrubi, ex-chairman of the Majlis (parliament)
and a reformist candidate in the 2009 presidential vote
, explicitly accused Mojtaba Khamenei of participating in a conspiracy to rig the election, referring to illegal interference of "a network".
Mojtaba is reported to have a strong influence over his father and is talked about as his possible successor. This is thought by some to present a problem as the Supreme Leader is not a hereditary position but is chosen by the Assembly of Experts
from among senior Shia Islamic scholars. "The strength of Mojtaba's personal following has not been demonstrated," and while he wears clerical robes he "by no means has the theological status" to rise to Supreme Leader. Many conservatives, including the Revolutionary Guard hierarchy, support Mojtaba and oppose reformers who might question the financial management of the country and the billions of dollars conservatives use to support their regional political agenda. However, Mojtaba's religious and political stature may still not be enough for Ali Khamenei to one day just unveil his son as his successor.
He is married to the daughter of former parliamentary speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel. He is also "widely believed to control huge financial assets".
Ali Khamenei
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Hoseyni Khāmene’i is the Supreme Leader of Iran and the figurative head of the Muslim conservative establishment in Iran and Twelver Shi'a marja...
, the Supreme Leader of Iran
Supreme Leader of Iran
The Supreme Leader of Iran is the highest ranking political and religious authority in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The post was established by the constitution in accordance with the concept of Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists...
. Mojtaba has reportedly taken control over the Basij
Basij
The Basij is a paramilitary volunteer militia established in 1979 by order of the Islamic Revolution's leader Ayatollah Khomeini. The force consists of young Iranians who have volunteered, often in exchange for official benefits...
militia being used to suppress the protests over the 2009 election and is also reported to be "being groomed" to succeed his father as Supreme Leader.
Mojtaba is affiliated with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He supported Ahmedinejad in the 2005 and 2009 presidential elections. Journalists have stated that he may "have played a leading role in orchestrating" Ahmadinejad's electoral victory, that he may be "a key figure in orchestrating the crackdown against anti-government protesters" in June 2009, and directly in charge of the paramilitary Basij
Basij
The Basij is a paramilitary volunteer militia established in 1979 by order of the Islamic Revolution's leader Ayatollah Khomeini. The force consists of young Iranians who have volunteered, often in exchange for official benefits...
, a blackout of his name in the regime press notwithstanding. In an open letter, Mehdi Karrubi, ex-chairman of the Majlis (parliament)
Majlis of Iran
The National Consultative Assembly of Iran , also called The Iranian Parliament or People's House, is the national legislative body of Iran...
and a reformist candidate in the 2009 presidential vote
Iranian presidential election, 2009
Iran's tenth presidential election was held on 12 June 2009, with incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad running against three challengers. The next morning the Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran's official news agency, announced that with two-thirds of the votes counted, Ahmadinejad had won the election...
, explicitly accused Mojtaba Khamenei of participating in a conspiracy to rig the election, referring to illegal interference of "a network".
Mojtaba is reported to have a strong influence over his father and is talked about as his possible successor. This is thought by some to present a problem as the Supreme Leader is not a hereditary position but is chosen by the Assembly of Experts
Assembly of Experts
The Assembly of Experts of Iran , also translated as Council of Experts, is a deliberative body of 86 Mujtahids that is charged with electing and removing the Supreme Leader of Iran and supervising his activities.Members of the assembly are elected from a government-screened list of candidates by...
from among senior Shia Islamic scholars. "The strength of Mojtaba's personal following has not been demonstrated," and while he wears clerical robes he "by no means has the theological status" to rise to Supreme Leader. Many conservatives, including the Revolutionary Guard hierarchy, support Mojtaba and oppose reformers who might question the financial management of the country and the billions of dollars conservatives use to support their regional political agenda. However, Mojtaba's religious and political stature may still not be enough for Ali Khamenei to one day just unveil his son as his successor.
He is married to the daughter of former parliamentary speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel. He is also "widely believed to control huge financial assets".