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New supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei inherits sprawling, secretive office that dominates Iran
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Iran’s new supreme leadr Mojtaba Khamenei has had the reputation of operating in the shadows.
PHOTO: AFP
Neil MacFarquhar
- Mojtaba Khamenei became Iran's new supreme leader, inheriting his father's powerful office, the Bayt, which controls military, intelligence, and the economy.
- Mojtaba has been accused of manipulating elections and is deeply connected to the Revolutionary Guard, raising concerns about a shift toward a security state.
- The US President has expressed disappointment and analysts view the appointment as a sign of the regime seeking continuity amid war and internal issues.
AI generated
TEHRAN – In the political annals of the Islamic Republic of Iran, one of the first notorious public episodes involving Mr Mojtaba Khamenei, the man just named as the country’s new supreme leader, occurred during the 2005 presidential election.
After a dark-horse candidate, Mr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, surged abruptly into a runoff and eventual victory, the reformist politician who unexpectedly lost wrote an open letter to the supreme leader accusing his son, Mojtaba, of manipulating the vote.
