Iran’s New Supreme Leader Sparks Controversy
WASHINGTON — President Trump was reportedly taken aback last week when he learned from U.S. intelligence that Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, might be gay. The concerns extended to worries about the suitability of his late father, Ali Khamenei, for leading the Islamic Republic.
During the briefing, Trump couldn’t help but laugh, a reaction echoed by others present. However, one senior intelligence officer found the situation so amusing they couldn’t stop chuckling about it for days, according to a source familiar with the briefing.
This surprising claim was shared with the media by two intelligence officials and a third party with connections to the White House. According to all three sources, these allegations, although far-fetched, were considered credible and not part of a misinformation campaign against Khamenei, who recently took over as supreme leader on March 8.
Two of the sources mentioned that intelligence suggested Mojtaba, who has been nicknamed “The Power Behind the Robe” while serving under his father, maintained a long-term sexual relationship with his childhood tutor. Another source suggested the individual in question previously worked within the Khamenei family.
Mojtaba, who may have been injured in the same airstrike that killed his father, was reportedly under the influence of significant amounts of drugs at the time and made aggressive advances towards the caretakers, said one informed source.
The intelligence agencies do not possess photographic proof of Khamenei’s alleged sexual orientation, but sources assert the reliability of the information, citing a top-level government source as the origin. One official noted that the elevation of this matter to the highest levels of government implies some level of confidence in its accuracy.
Speculation regarding Mojtaba’s sexual orientation has circulated in Iran since at least May 2024, following a helicopter crash that claimed the life of then-President Ebrahim Raisi, who was viewed as the potential successor to the late supreme leader.
This information has been categorized as “highly classified” within the U.S. government. Previously, Trump labeled Mojtaba Khamenei as an unfit choice for leadership, emphasizing that he is unlikely to concede to U.S. demands regarding nuclear and missile programs.
Elements of Mojtaba Khamenei’s sexual history have been reported before, potentially adding credibility to the current allegations. Past diplomatic cables from 2008 indicated that he had received treatment for impotence in the UK, though the reasons for this condition were not detailed. State Department documents mentioned that he married relatively late in life and had to seek extensive medical attention during his visits to the UK.
Tragically, during the same airstrike that took his father’s life, Mojtaba’s wife Zahra and their teenage son reportedly also lost their lives. He does have another son and daughter, however.
Rumors of potential homosexual relationships have circulated, with some sources claiming that flaws in Mojtaba’s “personal life” were a point of contention among those selecting a successor. Indeed, the late leader had reportedly preferred another successor, partly due to suspicions about his son’s sexual orientation.
While homosexuality remains illegal in Iran, the government permits sex reassignment surgeries, leading to some pressures on gay individuals to conform to societal expectations. Penalties can be harsh, and sodomy is a capital offense in the country.
One insider pointed out that although forcibly removing individuals from power is generally condemned, exceptions exist, especially for leaders of a regime infamous for its harsh treatment of homosexuals.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s current status and recovery following the airstrike on February 28 remain uncertain. As of now, the White House has not commented on the situation.
