Ali Khamenei died on the first day of the US and Israeli Operation Epic Fury.
13:42, Sun, Mar 15, 2026 Updated: 14:17, Sun, Mar 15, 2026
Mojtaba Khamenei is Iran's new Supreme Leader (Image: Getty)
Late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reportedly wary of his son Mojtaba replacing him as Iran's Supreme Leader, sources have claimed. A US intelligence analysis suggests Ali Khamenei, who led the regime from 1989 until his death on February 28, harboured concerns about Mojtaba succeeding him as he was perceived as not very bright, and was viewed as unqualified to be leader, sources described as familiar with the matter have claimed.
The US intelligence report has been circulated to US President Donald Trump as well as a small circle around him, the sources also alleged to CBS news. Mojtaba was announced Iran's new Supreme Leader last weekend, eight days after his father had died in his compound in one of the strikes launched by the US and Israel on the first day of their joint operation.
Ali Khamenei became the Supreme Leader of Iran in 1989 (Image: Getty)
Mojtaba hasn't been seen in public since the conflict in the Middle East began. On Thursday, he spoke for the first time to his country, albeit in the form of a written statement, fuelling rumours he may have been severely injured in the strikes or may even be dead.
On Friday, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth claimed Ali Khamenei's son was "wounded and likely disfigured" following an air attack.
On the same day, Trump suggested in a Fox News interview the Iranian regime has been decapitated, and seemingly hinted at the alleged US intelligence report as he said: "Their leadership is gone. Their second leadership is gone. Now their third leadership is in trouble, and this is not somebody that the father even wanted."
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On Sunday, Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Iran, claimed: "The Leader of the Revolution is in complete health and is fully managing the situation."
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