Born in Iran · Nationality Iranian — Politics / Supreme Leader of Iran

Mojtaba Khamenei

Also known as: Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei

Politics and government Religion, sects and spiritual movements

Iranian cleric born in 1969; third supreme leader since March 2026 and son of Ali Khamenei.

Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father in March 2026 after years of unelected influence in his circle. Controversies involve alleged electoral interference, ties to the Revolutionary Guards, US sanctions and reported overseas assets. His succession and absence from public view in 2026 have raised further questions about transparency and his authority.

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Profile No. 6096 · Updated on 8 November 2026

2Documented controversies

3Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

8–9 March 2026

2026: father-to-son succession disputed

No legal proceedings

The Assembly of Experts chose Mojtaba Khamenei after his father was killed in US and Israeli strikes. Critics argued that father-to-son succession conflicted with the Islamic Republic’s stated anti-monarchical ideals, although the assembly formally announced his selection.

State of the evidence: The appointment is established; describing the succession as dynastic is a political assessment.
Legal status — source text: No established personal criminal conviction concerning this event.
Attribution: Criticised dynastic succession to the state’s highest office.

Sources · 1

[1]
BBC NewsWho is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new supreme leader?8 March 2026MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 8 November 2026

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4–5 November 2019

2019: US sanctions over his role in the supreme leader’s office

Civil / administrative proceedings

The US Treasury placed Mojtaba Khamenei on its sanctions list for acting on behalf of his father in an unelected capacity and working with Revolutionary Guard and Basij networks. This is a US administrative measure, not a criminal judgment.

State of the evidence: Official OFAC designation and the US Treasury’s accompanying explanation.
Legal status — source text: Foreign administrative sanction; no personal criminal conviction established.
Attribution: Unelected influence and representation role targeted by US sanctions.

Sources · 2

[1]
U.S. Department of the TreasuryTreasury Designates Supreme Leader of Iran’s Inner Circle Responsible for Advancing Regime’s Domestic and Foreign Oppression5 November 2019Official documentHigh reliability
[2]
Office of Foreign Assets ControlIran-related Designations; Venezuela-related Designations Removals4 November 2019Official documentHigh reliability

Last verified: 8 November 2026

Add to this entry Any news?

II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

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Controversia profile, updated 8 November 2026. Latest version: https://controversia.info/en/fiche/mojtaba-khamenei