Iran’s potential new hardline multi-billionaire leader, believed to be war veteran Mojtaba Khamenei, is facing significant threats from Israel due to his appointment symbolizing Tehran’s combative stance. Reports indicate that Khamenei is unlikely to yield to pressure from Israel and the US, aiming to escalate conflicts in the region.
Having evaded military strikes in Tehran by utilizing the city’s extensive tunnel network, which reaches depths of hundreds of meters and requires minutes to access via elevator, Khamenei’s swift and modern appointment was finalized after just two remote meetings by Tehran’s Assembly of Experts. He has long overseen Tehran’s security operations.
The remote meetings were arranged following the bombing of the intended voting site in Qum by the US and Israel. Despite his immense wealth from a property empire, Khamenei, the second son of the late Ayatollah, is favored by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for the leadership role.
Despite his affluent lifestyle, Khamenei’s hardline views align with his late father’s anti-Western stance. While he faces US sanctions, he holds properties worth £110 million in the UK and has multiple Swiss bank accounts. Tragically, his wife and son were casualties of recent strikes.
As the second son of Khamenei, Khamenei is viewed as a potential successor and is well-versed in his father’s theocratic beliefs. He has wielded significant influence behind the scenes in Tehran and maintains close ties with the IRGC.
Selected by the Assembly of Experts under IRGC pressure, Khamenei’s influence within Iran’s political and security realms is widely acknowledged, despite lacking formal government positions. His late wife hailed from a prominent Tehran family, and his association with the IRGC has made him a key target for Israeli forces.
Israeli officials have already targeted Khamenei, warning that any leader chosen by the Iranian regime for anti-Israel agendas will face assassination attempts. Allegedly, Khamenei has been the subject of US-Israeli strikes since the conflict began with air assaults over the weekend.