With reference to the present ruler, Ali Khamenei’s son, an Iranian dissident and former prime minister Mir Hossein Mousavi has cautioned the country about the establishment of hereditary authority.
Since February 2011, Mousavi, 81, has been held under house arrest. He served as Iran’s prime minister from 1981 to 1989.
Mousavi said, “Have the 2500-year-old monarchy returned to power that we are talking about Khamenei’s son’s succession?” in a remark posted on the Kaleme website in response to speculations that Khamenei’s son was being prepared to replace his father.
Since 2005, when Mojtaba Khamenei was initially accused of manipulating the presidential election to install like-minded candidates in power, rumors about his ambitions have been swirling throughout Iran. Mojtaba and other staff members in Khamenei’s office have never made an official comment on the prospect of his succession. However, Mousavi queried, “If they are not considering Mojtaba’s ascent to the throne, then why do they not refute the rumors?”
There have also been reports in recent years concerning Khamenei’s son and his participation in IRGC-related financial corruption cases. Additionally, according to the rumors, he oversaw IRGC intelligence under the direction of Hossein Ta’eb, who was recently dismissed by Khamenei.
In the meanwhile, Mousavi blasted Khamenei for Iran’s involvement in Syria, alleging that the Islamic Republic had perpetrated “stigmatic crimes” in the region and brought tragedy to a country beset by tyranny, famine, and poverty.