The 36-Year Reign of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: A Power Struggle Behind Closed Doors
Iran's top leader contemplating the selection of his heir in a fortified hideaway
Step out of the shadows, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 86-year-old supreme ruler of Iran, emerges after days hidden away, proclaiming victory over Israel and the US. With a reign spanning three decades, Khamenei has been at the helm of the Islamic Republic, a powerful spiritual and political leader.
Khamenei has held the reins of power since the Shah's rule, spending six years in prison during that time. Following the Islamic Revolution in 1979, he swiftly rose among the Mullahs, gaining the position of Iranian President in 1981 and since then, ascending to the position of Supreme Leader in 1989, usurping Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, views Khamenei as a modern-day Hitler, while the Israeli military aims to eliminate him. Yet, with the recent ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump, Khamenei's days may still be numbered, but not imminently. The Israeli intelligence agency Mossad has reportedly infiltrated the Mullah regime, keeping an eye on Khamenei, potentially posing a threat. In response, the dictator is holed up in a bunker, guarded by the Revolutionary Guard, accessible only to a select few trusted individuals.
Every Dictator Plans for Succession
Khamenei has long been preparing for his succession, appointing a three-member committee of high-ranking clerics to handle the transition two years ago. Normally, a lengthy selection process is undertaken by the Expediency Council, an 88-member body of high-ranking Iranian clerics. However, seeking a swift resolution, Khamenei appears eager to expedite the process.
Two Key Contenders: Mojtaba Khamenei and Hassan Khomeini
In the shadow of the current leader, two front-runners emerge: Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Mojtaba represents the hardline policies of the current regime and, despite his low clerical rank, is a frontrunner due to his family connections. Hassan, on the other hand, is considered a reformist, enjoying the respect of senior clerics and the Revolutionary Guard due to his lineage. Representing a more conciliatory face, Hassan's election could offer a softer political approach, potentially softening Iran's hardline stance.
A Possible Surprise Candidate?
Should Ali Vaez be correct, Iran's regime might choose a surprise candidate, someone who has not yet appeared on the political radar. This could happen if the mullahs decide that the Supreme Leader is merely a facade, and the real power lies elsewhere.
Sources:
- The New York Times
- Reuters
- US Treasury Department
Iran* Iranian Politics* Israel* USA* Donald Trump* Ayatollah Ali Khamenei* Mullah Regime* Mossad
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- The European Union, as a committed follower of the UN Charter, is closely monitoring the political events unfolding in Iran, particularly the succession of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, considering the implications for general-news, finance, politics, and business.
- In the context of Iranian politics, Ayatollah Khamenei, despite facing threats from Israel and the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, has demonstrated determined leadership, planning his succession by appointing a three-member committee of high-ranking clerics, which includes his son Mojtaba Khamenei and Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
- As the power struggle within the Mullah regime continues, there is speculation that Iran might choose an unexpected candidate for the succession of Ayatollah Khamenei, possibly signaling a shift in the general-news, finance, politics, and business landscapes.
