While the Islamic Republic focuses publicly on the Strait of Hormuz and Mojtaba’s status, a close associate of the presumed next ‘Supreme Leader’ has made a series of startling claims. The aide linked Ali Khamenei to the death of a former Iranian president and said Mojtaba himself survived an assassination attempt. The statements come as the medical condition and functioning of the ‘Supreme Leader’ remain unclear.
Iranian cleric Mohammad Bagher Kharrazi—brother-in-law of Mojtaba Massoud Khamenei, who serves as secretary-general of “Hezbollah Iran”—provided testimony that has sparked major controversy in Iran. His central claim: the late ‘Supreme Leader’ Ali Khamenei was politically threatened by President Ebrahim Raisi and was therefore responsible for the mysterious helicopter crash that killed the former president.
1+Raisi was known as the “Butcher of Tehran” for overseeing the executions of thousands of regime opponents in the late 1980s. Since Ali Khamenei himself rose to ‘Supreme Leader’ after serving as president, Kharrazi claims Khamenei feared Raisi also aspired to become ‘Supreme Leader’—and might take the position from him in the future. Therefore, Khamenei was involved in the mysterious crash, according to the claim.
Beyond that, the secretary-general of “Hezbollah Iran” claimed that Ali Khamenei himself nearly “disappeared” after Ayatollah Khomeini, the first ‘Supreme Leader’, requested it. Mojtaba’s associate did not add the reason the operation was never carried out.
1+Kharrazi also claimed that Mojtaba was heavily involved in his father’s office when he served as ‘Supreme Leader’—involvement that disturbed office members. The current leader’s associate claimed his presence in the office was so unwanted that he had to be removed so other office members wouldn’t kill him.
Kharrazi’s statements come as Iranian media has ramped up coverage of Khamenei’s medical condition. While an Israeli source confirmed several weeks ago that the ‘Supreme Leader’ is still alive, other sources in Iran have claimed his condition is serious and he could die at any moment—if he hasn’t already. The harsh statements against him and his father, coming from his brother’s brother-in-law, raise questions about Mojtaba’s condition and functioning.