Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei (born 8 September 1969) is an Iranian cleric and political figure who has served as the third Supreme Leader of Iran since 2026. A member of the prominent Khamenei family and the second son of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, he previously served as Vakil (representative) of the Supreme Leader during his father’s tenure from 2008 to 2026.

Born in Mashhad, Khamenei spent part of his early childhood in Sardasht and Mahabad before completing his secondary education in Tehran. He pursued Islamic theology under the guidance of his father and Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi. In 1987, he joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and participated in the Iran–Iraq War. In 1989, he began formal clerical studies in Qom and later became a theology instructor at the Qom Seminary. In 2009, he assumed leadership of the Basij paramilitary force.

Khamenei was long regarded by analysts as a potential successor to his father, although reports suggested that Ali Khamenei had reservations about his elevation. Following the assassination of Ali Khamenei during the 2026 Iran war, Mojtaba Khamenei—who was reportedly injured in the same airstrike—was elected Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts. His subsequent absence from public appearances for an extended period led to speculation regarding his condition and political standing.

In terms of political ideology and jurisprudence, Khamenei is often described as more hardline than his father and is believed to maintain close ties with conservative clerical circles.

Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei was born on 8 September 1969 in Mashhad, the second child of Ali Khamenei and Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh. He was named after Navvab Safavi (born Mojtaba Mir-Lohi), a Shia cleric known for his revolutionary views. His siblings include his elder brother Mostafa, younger brothers Masoud and Meysam, and sisters Boshra and Hoda.

He is of Persian origin with Azerbaijani roots tracing back to Khamaneh in East Azerbaijan, and his family claims descent from Husayn ibn Ali. During his early years, he lived in Sardasht and Mahabad before moving to Tehran, where he graduated from Alavi High School. He later studied Islamic theology under his father and Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi. In Qom, his teachers included Mohammad-Taqi Mesbah-Yazdi and Lotfollah Safi Golpaygani. He has also undertaken studies in psychology and psychoanalysis.

Khamenei taught theology at the Qom Seminary and, from 2004 onward, conducted advanced jurisprudence (Kharij-e Fiqh) classes for nearly two decades. These classes are considered a key step toward attaining the rank of mujtahid.

He joined the IRGC around 1987 at the age of 17 and served in the Habib bin Muzahir Battalion alongside Qassem Soleimani. He participated in several operations during the Iran–Iraq War, including Beit ol-Moqaddas 2, Dawn 10, and Mersad. In 2009, he took charge of the Basij, with critics alleging his role in suppressing post-election protests. Reports in later years suggested he exercised significant influence over Basij operations and internal IRGC structures.

Despite earlier speculation and reported opposition from his father, Mojtaba Khamenei rose to power following the assassination of Ali Khamenei during the 2026 Iran war. He was subsequently elected Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts, even though his clerical rank of hojjatoleslam is below that of ayatollah, which has traditionally been associated with the position.

His appointment has been viewed by some observers as a significant moment in the evolution of Iran’s political system, with debates emerging over issues of clerical authority, succession, and institutional continuity.