The Funeral Ceremony of Hamidreza Haqqanian: Mojtaba Khamenei’s Attendance

Activities and Influence

Mojtaba Khamenei plays a crucial role in the Qom seminary, where he imparts theological knowledge. Notably, he was closely associated with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and actively supported Ahmadinejad in both the 2005 and 2009 presidential elections.

During the 2009 election protests, journalists and experts suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei played a central role in orchestrating the crackdown on anti-government protesters. Despite an apparent blackout of his name in the regime press, he was believed to be directly in charge of the paramilitary Basij, further emphasizing his influential position. An open letter by Mehdi Karroubi, a reformist candidate in the 2009 presidential vote, explicitly accused Mojtaba Khamenei of participating in a conspiracy to rig the election.

One of the most compelling aspects of Mojtaba Khamenei’s role is his potential as a successor to his father, Ali Khamenei, as the Supreme Leader. However, the selection of the Supreme Leader is subject to the Assembly of Experts, which consists of senior Shia Islamic scholars. Some experts have questioned whether Mojtaba has the theological qualifications to rise to the position, despite his influence over his father. The Guardian, for example, noted that while he wears clerical robes, he lacks the necessary theological status for such a significant role.

Moreover, some sources claim that Mojtaba Khamenei controls substantial financial assets, a matter of contention in Iranian politics. This allegation was contested by the Assembly of the Forces of Imam’s Line, a political group led by his uncle, Hadi Khamenei. Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, once an ally, accused Mojtaba Khamenei of embezzling from the state treasury.

October 17, 2023 | 8:30 pm