Iran Consulate In Mumbai Debunks Reports Of Khamenei’s Son Mojtaba Named Iran’s Supreme Leader

The Iranian Consulate in Mumbai on Wednesday debunked reports stating that Iran’s ruling clerical body chosen Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country’s new Supreme Leader.

Taking to its official handle on X, the Consulate General of the I.R. Iran in Mumbai, said, “Reports circulating on media regarding potential candidates for leadership selected by Iran’s Assembly of Experts have no official source and are officially denied.” Mojtaba is the second-eldest son of Ali Khamenei and has long been viewed by analysts as a powerful behind-the-scenes figure within Iran’s political system.

Earlier, a report by Iran International, citing informed sources, stated that Iran’s Assembly of Experts, the group constitutionally tasked with appointing the Supreme Leader, voted in favour of Mojtaba Khamenei. The report came just days after Ali Khamenei was killed in joint strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, an escalation that has since triggered widespread military confrontation across the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Iran’s state media has reported that Iranians will bid farewell to late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a ceremony later tonight at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini prayer ground. The ceremony will last for three days and the funeral procession will be announced when it is finalised. In November 2019, the US Treasury Department issued sanctions against Mojtaba.

He was designated to represent the then Supreme Leader in an official capacity despite never being elected or appointed to a government position.

The conflict in the Middle East is now in Day 5 following the US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, along with other key figures in the Persian Gulf country. In retaliation, Tehran has responded with counter-strikes targeting American military bases and other Israeli assets across the region.