Intelligence Report: Khamenei Was Hesitant About His Son Taking Power

SadaNews - Informed sources reported that U.S. intelligence information presented to a narrow circle around President Donald Trump indicated that the late Iranian leader Ali Khamenei had reservations about his son Mojtaba taking power after him, according to CBS News.

According to the report published on Sunday, the sources stated that the intelligence analysis showed that Khamenei had reservations about his son Mojtaba Khamenei assuming governance, as he was viewed as not particularly intelligent and deemed unqualified for the position of Supreme Leader.

The sources added that the information gathered also revealed that the father was aware of his son's personal life issues, based on sources within the U.S. administration, the intelligence community, and close associates of the president.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was chosen to become Iran's Supreme Leader over the past weekend, after having worked for years as a close aide to his father.

Just about eight days prior, Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli missile strike during the initial blow of the war being waged by the United States and Israel against Iran.

It was believed that Mojtaba Khamenei was injured in that strike, although reports indicated that he remained within his father's close circle.

Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, along with other top officials, were briefed on the intelligence concerning Khamenei's son, according to the report.

The sources noted that Trump stated in private discussions with those close to him that he was unsure whether the information conveyed to him about Mojtaba Khamenei was significant, considering that Iran is effectively leaderless at the moment, with the possibility that Khamenei's son may have died.

The Decision is in the Hands of the Revolutionary Guard

The White House believes that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is currently making decisions. In an interview with Fox News on Friday, Trump publicly hinted at Ali Khamenei's lack of trust in his son.

Trump said, "Their leadership has ended. Their second leadership has ended. Now their third leadership is in trouble, and this is not someone that the father wanted at all."

He described the new Supreme Leader as "weak" and stated that he would be an "unacceptable leader" for Iran, also indicating that he desires some form of oversight over the next leader of Iran.

The federal government offered a reward of up to $10 million on Friday for information regarding the whereabouts of Mojtaba Khamenei and nine other major Iranian officials.

The United States, now over two weeks into the war with Iran, aims to destroy the Iranian regime. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters on Friday that Khamenei's son is "injured and likely disfigured," while Vance stated that a strike apparently left him injured, and his health condition remains unclear.

Donald Trump

The Revolutionary Guard