ALBAWABA - New information on the internal political conflict that followed the passing of Iran's previous Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been made public by an article published in The New York Times. This information sheds light on how his son Mojtaba Khamenei finally took over as the nation's top leader.
The article claims that fierce conflicts between political officials, religious leaders, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders preceded Mojtaba's ascent to prominence. After Ali Khamenei was killed in an attack on February 28, the conflict escalated as Iran's leadership had urgent conversations about his successor.
Ali Khamenei has previously proposed three potential successors to close advisers, according to sources quoted by the publication, but his son was not one of the options considered. Officials pointed out that if the changeover had taken place in a regular setting instead of during a period of conflict, Mojtaba's route to leadership may have been considerably different.
In an effort to increase their political clout, rival groups within the Iranian establishment started endorsing their own candidates after the killing. Hardline organizations supported sticking to the late Supreme Leader's policies and political course.
Other political elites, on the other hand, supported choosing a more moderate leader who might assist stabilize the nation throughout the current crisis and ease tensions with the United States.
Mojtaba Khamenei had substantial backing from powerful members of the Revolutionary Guard, including high-ranking military and political officials, in spite of the disagreements.
Ali Larijani was among the notable officials who opposed the decision, arguing that Iran needed a leader who could bring the nation together rather than widen its tensions. According to reports, alternative candidates including former president Hassan Rouhani and Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the Islamic Republic's founder, were also backed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other political elites.
But the Israeli attack that murdered Ali Khamenei changed Iran's political landscape. Rather of seeking internal change, members of the Assembly of Experts allegedly placed more emphasis on responding to the attack and displaying power.
On March 3, following a series of discussions, Mojtaba Khamenei gained sufficient backing to become Supreme Leader.
Although sources say he initially expressed reluctance to accept the role while recovering from injuries sustained in the same airstrike that killed his father, the decision ultimately went forward after strong backing from senior Revolutionary Guard commanders.
Members of the Assembly of Experts allegedly gave Mojtaba Khamenei 59 out of 88 votes in the final ballot.
