Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (left) and Mojtaba Khamenei (right)

Mojtaba Khameneithe second son of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khameneihas reportedly been chosen as his father’s successor at a secret meeting of the Meeting of expertsaccording to Israeli media outlet Ynet News, which cited a report from Iran International.
The secret meeting, held on September 26, was called at the request of the 85-year-old leader, who is reportedly struggling with health problems. The 60-member assembly is said to have faced significant pressure to reach a unanimous decision, including threats from Khamenei and his representatives.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s growing influence within the regime has become apparent over the past two years. Although he has rarely appeared in public, he is recognized for his alleged role in suppressing the protests after the 2009 elections. In 2021, he was given the title of Ayatollah, fulfilling the constitutional requirements for the role of Supreme Leader .
The Iran International report suggests the decision was kept secret to avoid public backlash. “The meeting decided to maintain maximum secrecy over the decision, for fear of widespread public protests,” the meeting said, adding that members were warned of the serious consequences of any leaks.
The reported decision highlights the regime’s efforts to strengthen its control as it faces increasing internal and external pressure. The Iranian government has not yet responded to these claims.
Sources cited in the report claim that Khamenei plans to hand power to his son while he is still alive, to ensure a smooth transition and avoid opposition.
On Saturday, numerous messages circulated on social media claiming that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had fallen into a coma. These claims gained traction shortly after a report from The New York Times in October stated that Khamenei is “seriously ill.” However, there has been no official confirmation or statement from Iranian authorities about any further decline in his health.