U.S. intelligence has circulated an assessment indicating that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has reservations about his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, succeeding him, according to a report from CBS News citing multiple sources familiar with the matter. The intelligence was reportedly shared with a small circle of U.S. officials.
The report, based on sources including current and former U.S. officials, suggests that while Mojtaba Khamenei is a influential cleric and political figure within Iran's hardline establishment, his father is wary of a hereditary succession in the Islamic Republic. The position of Supreme Leader is filled by the Assembly of Experts, and a direct familial transfer of power would be unprecedented.
Analysts note that speculation about the 85-year-old leader's succession has intensified in recent years. Potential candidates often mentioned include Mojtaba Khamenei and the current president, Ebrahim Raisi. The U.S. intelligence assessment highlights internal debates and concerns over stability during a future leadership transition in Iran.
The Iranian government has not publicly commented on this specific intelligence report. The Supreme Leader's office typically dismisses foreign reports on internal matters as interference.
