'The Most Dangerous Man in the World'

"The choice the group makes will determine a great deal about Iran's future as a theocratic state. So far, the name that has been mentioned most often is that of Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in a joint U.S.-Israeli operation on Saturday after ruling Iran since 1989."

"Some have suggested that Mojtaba might be a modernizing autocrat, ready to consolidate power brutally but institute much-needed reform. That is pure fantasy. Last month, before the outbreak of war, one acquaintance of Mojtaba's told me that he was 'the most dangerous man in the world' and considerably more violent and ideological than his father."

"One thing Mojtaba is not is a religious scholar, fit to lead a country whose founding revolutionary purpose was to place the state under the total authority of the most distinguished Shiite jurist. His father came up short on this score too-but not as short as Mojtaba."

Iran's leadership transition occurs amid security threats, with Israel's Defense Minister declaring the new supreme leader an elimination target. The Assembly of Experts delays announcing the successor to ensure protection and succession planning. Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of assassinated leader Ali Khamenei, is the most frequently mentioned candidate. Some suggest he could modernize Iran, but sources describe him as extremely dangerous and ideologically violent. A critical issue is Mojtaba's lack of religious scholarly credentials required for Iran's theocratic system. His father Ali was only a hojjat al-Islam when appointed, below the ayatollah rank, but Mojtaba has even less religious qualification, departing from Iran's founding principle of placing state authority under distinguished Shiite jurists.

Read at The Atlantic