US President Donald Trump had said on Tuesday that the US knows where Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is hiding. Trump said that he is “an easy target” but they’re not going to kill him. After Trump’s warning, Khamenei took to X (formerly Twitter) and declared war saying that the “battle has begun”.
The battle has indeed begun, but what can’t be denied is the fact that the 86-year-old Iranian leader is now more isolated than ever. Several of his top military and security advisers have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, leaving big gaps in his team. This has increased the chances of affecting his decision making process, a report by Reuters said, citing five people familiar with the matter.
Several top Iranian military commanders have been killed since Israel launched attack on Friday, including some of Ayatollah Khamenei’s closest advisers from his elite force – the Revolutionary Guards. Those killed, were part of Khamenei’s trusted group of about 15 to 20 advisers. This group includes Guards commanders, religious leaders, and politicians. The information comes from three people who have attended key meetings with Khamenei and two others close to officials who regularly take part in such meetings, Reuters report said.
Will Mojtaba Khamenei be Iran’s New Supreme Leader?
Iranian leader Khamenei is facing tough challenges both inside and outside the country. While Iranian security forces have usually managed to control protests and keep order, years of Western sanctions have badly hurt the economy. A Reuters report said that experts believe this economic pain could eventually lead to unrest within the country.
On top of that, Khamenei is dealing with a growing conflict with Israel. However, in the midst of the tension, one person who has become especially important is Ayatollah’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei. Over the past 20 years, Mojtaba has taken on a bigger role in his father’s system. He acts as a key link between different political groups, religious figures, and military leaders. Some people within the government even see Mojtaba as a possible successor to his father, a Reuters report said.
Mojtaba is a mid-ranking cleric and has built strong connections with the powerful Revolutionary Guards. This gives him extra influence across Iran’s political and security system. His growing involvement shows how the Supreme Leader’s family is playing a bigger part in running the country during these tense times.