Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran's late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been chosen as his successor, according to reports from the AP news agency.
The 56-year-old Mojtaba has largely kept a low profile, never holding government office or giving public speeches or interviews. However, US diplomatic cables described him as the "power behind the robes" who was widely regarded as a "capable and forceful" figure within the regime.
As reported by BBC News Persian, Mojtaba's selection could still prove controversial, given the Islamic Republic's ideology that the supreme leader should be chosen for his religious standing and proven leadership, not through hereditary succession.
Background and Early Life
Mojtaba was born on 8 September 1969 in the northeastern city of Mashhad. He received his secondary education at the religious Alavi School in Tehran and served in the military for several short periods during the Iran-Iraq War.
At the age of 30, Mojtaba went to Qom to continue his religious studies, where he began wearing clerical clothing. He remains a mid-ranking cleric, which could pose an obstacle to his ascendance as the supreme leader.
Rise to Prominence
Mojtaba's name first entered the public spotlight during the 2005 presidential election, which resulted in the victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He was accused of interfering in the vote through elements of the IRGC and the Basij militia.
In recent days, some media outlets and officials close to centres of power in Iran have started referring to Mojtaba Khamenei as "Ayatollah", a senior clerical title, in an apparent attempt to elevate his religious standing and present him as a credible leader.
Leadership Challenges
Many expect Mojtaba to continue his father's hardline policies as supreme leader. However, he also faces the daunting task of ensuring the survival of the Islamic Republic and convincing the public that he is the right person to lead the country out of political and economic devastation.
As Israel's defence minister has said, the next supreme leader will be "an unequivocal target for elimination". The Iranian regime has carried out more attacks, and the war continues for a ninth day, with fuel depots hit in Tehran and Karaj overnight.
