Rubio: Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and his influence is increasing amid decisive nuclear negotiations
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is alive and that his role in running the country is significantly increasing, despite doubts surrounding his fate after he was reportedly injured in the recent US-Israeli strikes. These statements come at a critical juncture, as developments in Tehran cast a shadow over the future of the entire region and create new conditions for any attempt to reach a diplomatic agreement.
In his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio said, “I think there are indications that he is becoming more involved in leading the country at some level,” noting that Khamenei’s son’s absence from the public eye since assuming power does not necessarily mean he is removed from the center of decision-making. Mojtaba, 56, succeeded his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the initial strikes that triggered the Middle East war on February 28, marking the first instance of a hereditary transfer of supreme power in the history of the Islamic Republic.
A mysterious succession and internal challenges
The rise of Mojtaba Khamenei to the pinnacle of power in Iran represents a historic and enigmatic transformation. While his father was a powerful figure in the political arena for decades, Mojtaba remains a less visible figure, opening the door to speculation about the nature of his leadership and the extent of his control over the country's influential institutions, most notably the Revolutionary Guard. Rubio's emphasis on his increasing involvement in decision-making suggests a complex transition is underway behind the scenes, likely aimed at consolidating his power and strengthening his rule in the face of the formidable internal and external challenges confronting Iran.
The terms of the nuclear agreement and the fate of Mojtaba Khamenei
Rubio linked any chance of reaching a diplomatic agreement with Tehran to the necessity of making substantial concessions on its nuclear program. While expressing hope for a possible agreement, he emphasized that lifting economic sanctions hinges on “strict and long-term restrictions” and a complete halt to the uranium enrichment activities that prompted the sanctions. He added, “If you agree to give up those things, then sanctions will be eased.” How the new leadership in Tehran responds to these demands will be the first real test of Mojtaba Khamenei’s ability to manage one of the most sensitive issues on the international stage.
The Strait of Hormuz: A strategic pressure point
The American conditions were not limited to the nuclear program; they extended to guaranteeing the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies. Rubio explained that Tehran must agree to the complete reopening of the strait, stating, “They have to declare very clearly that the straits are open, that no transit fees will be imposed, that we will help remove the mines they have laid there, and that ships will not be targeted.” This condition reflects the extent of international concern about the impact of the conflict on the stability of the global economy and places a direct responsibility on the new Iranian leadership to ensure that the strait is not used as a political or military bargaining chip.
