The Story Iran has a new leader. How long will he last?
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Mar 10, 2026 Catherine Philp, World Affairs editor and long-time Iran correspondent, provides on-the-ground analysis and background on Mojtaba Khamenei. She outlines how he rose through the Revolutionary Guard and his history with protest crackdowns. The conversation covers succession mechanics, Iran’s security apparatus, international reactions and the risks around targeting the new leader.
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Supreme Leader Is An All-Powerful Survival Role
- The Supreme Leader role combines religious authority with total control over Iran's military, judiciary and IRGC.
- Catherine Philp explains the leader can issue fatwas, command the armed forces and control the judiciary, making it an all-powerful position tied to regime survival.
Security Trumps Theology In New Appointment
- Security credentials outweighed clerical scholarship in choosing Mojtaba Khamenei, signalling a priority on regime survival.
- Catherine Philp notes Mojtaba is far short of traditional clerical qualifications but strong on Revolutionary Guard and security experience.
Mojtaba Led 2009 Crackdown After Fighting In Iran Iraq War
- Mojtaba joined the Revolutionary Guard as a teenager and later commanded Basij forces during the 2009 Green Movement crackdown.
- Catherine Philp recounts he fought in the Iran-Iraq war, studied briefly in Qum, then led the brutal suppression of 2009 protesters.