Israeli national security officials are expressing doubts about Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, describing him as a “vacant figure” lacking real authority within the government. He is the son of the late Ali Khamenei, who died in an Israeli attack on February 28, and is said to be part of a “dysfunctional” regime.
Kobi Michael, a defense analyst, pointed out that Mojtaba has remained out of public view and lacks control over the regime. He characterized the current Iranian leadership as fractured and chaotic.
Interestingly, despite the missing leadership, Mojtaba’s absence was emphasized after his father’s death. He reportedly escaped the attack that killed his father by going for a walk just minutes before the missile strike, according to leaked audio from a meeting that followed the incident.
In the aftermath, Mojtaba has not made any public appearances; instead, his statements have been delivered through state television, where he issued a warning against continued attacks and urged Gulf states to close U.S. military bases.
Some reports circulating suggest that Mojtaba might be in critical condition, even comatose, though Iranian officials claim he’s healthy. On a different note, after the death of a prominent security figure, he vowed retaliation, claiming that such acts only highlight the enemy’s hostility.
In the context of ongoing Israeli operations, Michael remarked that the continuous targeting of Iranian officials aims to weaken the regime significantly. The ability of this regime to sustain itself and pose a genuine threat in the Middle East is, he implied, rapidly diminishing.
Meanwhile, President Trump has indicated that U.S. support may be shifting towards helping the Iranian people take control of their government, suggesting that their “moment of freedom” could be near.
