Khamenei Opposed Son Mojtaba's Succession to Avoid Nepotism, Not Fear

• Ayatollah Ali Khamenei never wanted his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, to succeed him, despite Mojtaba being chosen after his death.
• The primary reason was to avoid the 'stain of nepotism' and prevent the perception of a 'hereditary leadership system' returning to Iran, which the 1979 Islamic Revolution abolished.
• Mahmoud Mohammadi Iraqi of Iran's Assembly of Experts revealed that Khamenei himself intervened to stop discussions about Mojtaba's qualifications.
• Mojtaba Khamenei, despite no official post, was highly influential with deep ties to the IRGC, handling key responsibilities behind the scenes.
• The Assembly of Experts, comprising 88 religious scholars, elects Iran's Supreme Leader, a position Ayatollah Ali Khamenei held since 1989.