U.S. intelligence officials have informed President Donald Trump and a small circle of senior advisers that Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, opposed the possibility of his son Mojtaba Khamenei succeeding him, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter who spoke to CBS News.
The intelligence, shared with Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other senior officials, came after Ayatollah Ali was killed in an Israeli missile strike in the opening salvo of the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran on Feb. 28.
According to sources, the elder Khamenei was wary of his son taking power “because he was perceived as not very bright, and was viewed as unqualified to be leader.”
Intelligence also indicated that the father “was aware that his son had issues in his personal life.”
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was selected as Iran’s supreme leader last weekend by the country’s council of religious clerics after serving as a close aide to his father for years.
Meanwhile, recent reports indicate that Mojtaba was injured during the airstrikes on Tehran that killed his father and was reportedly transported to Russia for medical treatment. His inaugural message as the nation’s leader was broadcast on state media Thursday, but neither his face nor his voice was shown, fueling questions about his health.
According to the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida, he was secretly transported to Moscow aboard a Russian military aircraft. The report said Khamenei successfully underwent surgery and is receiving care at a private hospital linked to one of Russia’s presidential residences.
The claims have not been independently verified, and neither Iranian nor Russian authorities have confirmed the alleged evacuation or treatment.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed reports of injuries, saying: “The leader is completely healthy, in control of the situation and present in the arena. The message he delivered Thursday was very strong. Not only the leadership, but all state institutions are stable and everything is under control.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. government has offered a reward of up to $10 million for any information that could lead to the location or capture of Mojtaba, as well as nine other senior Iranian officials.
Got information on these Iranian terrorist leaders?
Send us a tip. It could make you eligible for a reward and relocation. pic.twitter.com/y7avkqdGWw
— Rewards for Justice (@RFJ_USA) March 13, 2026
