Following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, due to attacks from the US and Israel, reports suggest that his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is poised to inherit power in Iran. Being dubbed as the 'son of a martyr,' thanks to the circumstances surrounding his father's death, Mojtaba's ascension is viewed as a boost for hardline factions within the Iranian political landscape. The Iranian dissident outlet Iran International reported that the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for electing the Supreme Leader, is under pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to appoint Mojtaba as the next Supreme Leader, reflecting the growing influence of hardliners during this crisis moment.

Additionally, sources within the New York Times indicated that Mojtaba was highlighted as a potential successor during an Assembly of Experts meeting. Although preparations were made for a formal announcement, concerns about him becoming a target for further attacks from the US and Israel led to the delay of this announcement. The Assembly, which includes 88 clerics, had to convene via video due to an Israeli attack on their meeting venue, underscoring the ongoing volatility in the region.

Mojtaba Khamenei, born in 1969 in Mashhad, has been recognized as a significant behind-the-scenes player in Iranian politics. Having grown up witnessing his father’s leadership in the overthrow of the Pahlavi regime, he has built relationships with key figures in Iran's intelligence and security sectors, likely positioning him favorably within the power network established since his father ascended as Supreme Leader in 1989. This family and political background underscores the continuity of hardliner influence in Iran’s governance, as Mojtaba's potential leadership would mark a definitive shift towards more hardline policies.