Family legacy or military strategy? After Khamenei’s death, why did IRGC choose his son Mojtaba as the Supreme Leader of Iran?

US-Iran-Israel War: On February 28, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint operation by America and Israel. He remained on this post for 36 years. A few days later, news came that his son Mojtaba Khamenei had been elected the new Supreme Leader. The special thing is that even though Iran’s Assembly of Experts chose Mojtaba, the actual decision was taken by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Iran International was the first to break the news of Mojtaba Khamenei being elected as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. This decision has not been officially announced yet. It is believed that this will be announced after the funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei.

What does Mojtaba mean by assuming power?

Mojtaba’s assumption of power is not being considered as a normal succession, rather it is being called ‘wartime succession’. In the face of US and Israeli attacks and leadership vacancy, Iran quickly elected a new leader, so that control and stability could be maintained.

Why did the IRGC choose Mojtaba?

There are two important reasons being given for IRGC choosing Mojtaba. With this decision, IRGC wants to prevent any kind of tussle over the top position. Along with this, it was necessary to keep the security forces united and prevent anarchy regarding power. On the other hand, the IRGC wanted that fundamentalist leaders, security agencies and groups loyal to the regime should accept this decision and not feel that the system is breaking down.

Mojtaba has one special thing, that is his direct relationship with his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. With this, he can be easily accepted among the supporters of the regime and a message of continuity is sent to the system. For both these reasons the IRGC chose Mojtaba Khamenei.

Mojtaba’s relationship with IRGC

Additionally, Mojtaba has decades-long ties to the IRGC and is said to have deep influence in the command network. He served as an important link between his father and the IRGC leadership.

Mojtaba is considered close to the security apparatus of the Guard Corps and has also been associated with the civil and religious leadership. He is considered the closest confidant of Ayatollah Khamenei. For the last 20 years, he was handling the office of the Supreme Leader ‘Bait Rahbari’.

What is Bait Rahbari?

Bait is considered the center of real power of the state. It is from here that important departments related to security, politics and finance are controlled. This is the reason why bringing an outsider to this post was not an easy option for the Islamic Republic.

In the current situation, Iran has two options: either it continues to fight bravely, or it retreats and compromises and tries to stop the war. Mojtaba is said to be in a position to handle both the routes.

If Iran continues to fight, it will mean stronger internal control, military deployment and a strategy of unequal pressure. If the second path is chosen, Iran may have to make concessions in some important parts of its regional and military policy to stop the attacks.

Mojtaba Khamenei was born in 1969 in Mashhad city of Iran. He is the eldest son of slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His childhood was spent at a time when his father was active in the movement against Shah. Although he had been in charge of Bayt Rahbari for the past two decades, 56-year-old Mojtaba had never held any official government post. It is believed that he had a lot of influence behind the scenes.