Iran Supreme Leader’s dad feared his son ‘too silly to steer’, US intel sources declare
Mojtaba Khamenei now leads Iran after his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died in a missile strike, but US intelligence sources told CBS the former leader viewed his son as not very bright and unqualified
The former leader thought his son was ‘too stupid’ to take over the regime(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
US intelligence has reportedly revealed that Iran’s former Supreme Leader harboured reservations about his son succeeding him.
US officials have informed Donald Trump and his administration that they possess evidence indicating Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had doubts about his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, taking over from him.
Mojtaba was perceived as lacking in intellect and deemed unqualified for leadership by his father, sources disclosed to CBS. Iranian state television announced last Monday that Mojtaba Khamenei would succeed his father, over a week after the latter’s death in a missile strike that ignited the current Middle East conflict.
Despite long being viewed as a potential successor, Mojtaba had never been elected or appointed to a governmental role. Iran’s influential paramilitary Revolutionary Guard is answerable to the Supreme Leader, and the younger Khamenei now holds the key influence over war strategy, reports the Mirror.
Since the onset of the war, Mojtaba has not made any public appearances or statements, fuelling speculation that he may have been injured or even killed in the initial missile onslaught that claimed his father’s life.
Khamenei is thought to espouse views even more extreme than his father’s, which could potentially thwart American aspirations. However, the prospect of him lacking capability or intelligence introduces another layer of complexity to the conflict.
Mojtaba issued his inaugural statement on the war last Thursday, although he did not appear on camera and the speech was delivered by a news anchor. He did not disclose his condition or location in the address.
“I don’t know if he’s even alive. So far, nobody’s been able to show him,” Trump informed NBC. “I’m hearing he’s not alive, and if he is, he should do something very smart for his country, and that’s surrender.”
However, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has asserted: “The Leader of the Revolution is in full health and is fully managing the situation.”
