Iran's New Supreme Leader Remains Out of Sight
Mojtaba Khamenei, who became Iran's supreme leader after his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a US-Israeli air strike on February 28, has not made any public appearances since assuming office. His absence from the funeral ceremonies for his father in Mashhad on Thursday has prompted widespread speculation about his health and security, as well as questions about the nature of his leadership.
According to Al Jazeera and the South China Morning Post, Mojtaba Khamenei has only communicated through written statements and did not appear at any of the funeral events, which were attended by senior officials including parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, chief justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Ali Khamenei's eldest son Mostafa Khamenei. Social media users have scrutinized images from the ceremonies, but no confirmed sighting of the 56-year-old leader has emerged.
The absence has led to unverified claims that he may have been wounded or disfigured in the strike that killed his father. Others point to the risk of assassination by Israel or the US as a reason for his seclusion. Analysts cited by Al Jazeera warn that it is too early to dismiss him as a political figure, but suggest he may delegate more power to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) amid potential political infighting.
Continuity in the Judiciary
Amid the funeral proceedings, Iran's new supreme leader confirmed the reappointment of Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei as chief justice for another five-year term. The announcement, conveyed via a text message attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei, was reported by Al Jazeera. Mohseni-Ejei, 69, is a powerful figure in the judiciary and has been tasked with continuing the fight against corruption and pursuing crimes by "arrogant powers" and "global aggressors," according to the text message.
In comments to state TV, Mohseni-Ejei expressed commitment to the "peaks" of success envisioned by Iran's leaders and addressed calls for revenge over the assassination of Ali Khamenei. He said the demand for revenge reflects the public's desire for deterrent punishments against enemies. The reappointment is seen as a sign of continuity as Iran navigates the aftermath of the war and the transition of leadership.
Electoral and Security Context
Iranian authorities have reportedly intensified prosecution of national security-related offenses, and tens of thousands of people have been arrested since protests broke out in the country, according to Al Jazeera. The judiciary, led by Mohseni-Ejei, has authority over the organizational structure and hiring of judges, giving it significant influence over the legal system.
Perspectives
On Mojtaba Khamenei's Role
Al Jazeera and the South China Morning Post both speculate that Mojtaba Khamenei may function differently from his father, potentially with more power delegated to the IRGC. They note that the balance of power has shifted between the office of the supreme leader and the IRGC, though they caution that it is too soon to write him off as a political actor.
On the Judiciary Reappointment
Al Jazeera frames the reappointment of Mohseni-Ejei as a move toward continuity and stability, highlighting the new leader's request for a "judicial transformation" and continued fight against corruption. The outlet also quotes Mohseni-Ejei's calls for deterrence against enemies, reflecting the official stance on the assassination.