SUPREME LEADER'S SON: THE POWER BEHIND THE ROBES?

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 IRAN RPO DUBAI 000032

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/10/2027
TAGS: PGOV PREL IR PINR
SUBJECT: SUPREME LEADER'S SON: THE POWER BEHIND THE ROBES?

REF: A. RPO DUBAI 0016; B. RPO DUBAI 0014; C. RPO DUBAI 0012

RPO DUBAI 00000032 001.2 OF 002


CLASSIFIED BY: Jillian L. Burns, Director, Iran Regional
Presence Office, Dubai, UAE.
REASON: 1.4 (d)

1.(S/NF) Summary: An Iranian doctor, reportedly very close to
conservative circles in Iran, claimed that the Supreme Leader's
son Mojtaba holds extremist views and wields significant
influence in the Supreme Leader's office. The doctor indicated
that while Mojtaba essentially derives his power from his
father's position, he is building his own power base. The
Supreme Leader allegedly has begun chemotherapy, after resisting
the treatment for some time. This is a single source account
and his direct access to such information cannot be confirmed
but is credible. End summary

2.(S/NF) An Iranian doctor who reportedly is close to
conservative circles in Iran, particularly former Foreign
Minister Velayati, told IRPO Director May 7 that Supreme
Leader's son Mojtaba plays a direct -- and negative -- role in
Iranian policy-making. The source's views on nuclear negotiator
Mousavian's arrest and other views on the domestic situation to
be provided septel.

Influence of Supreme Leader's son
--------------

3.(S/NF) The doctor claims that Supreme Leader Khamenei's son
Mojtaba is exercising real power over his father's
decision-making. The source said Mojtaba is around 33 and the
third of four sons. He claims Mojtaba is a true hardliner, a
former student of Ansar-e Hizballah leader Hussein Allah Karam,
although not a member of the group himself. He reportedly
studied theology but does not wear cleric's clothing. According
to the source, Mojtaba is the only son of the Supreme Leader who
is active in politics.

4.(S/NF) The doctor, who describes himself as religious
conservative, said Mojtaba has the type of extremist mindset
that cannot be persuaded towards pragmatism. The doctor blamed
Mojtaba for much of what he saw as the negative aspects of
Iran's policy. The source gave no indication that Mojtaba's
grip on power was lessening. When IRPO director raised US
certainty of Iran's assistance to groups attacking US soldiers
in Iraq later in the conversation, the doctor inferred that
Mojtaba is likely driving Iran's Iraq policy. He contrasted
Mojtaba with IRGC Commander Safavi, who the source believes is a
much more pragmatic actor.

Power linked to father's?
--------------

5.(S/NF) The doctor said that Mojtaba mostly derives his power
from his father, and he would likely lose this power if his
father departs the scene. The doctor claimed that the Supreme
Leader is now undergoing chemotherapy, after earlier refusing
the treatment out of fear that people would see evidence of his
illness, and that he has switched to a vegetarian diet.
(Comment: One press report noted Mojtaba as a possible
replacement for his father, although no contacts have mentioned
this possibility. End comment)

6.(S/NF) The doctor cautioned, however, that Mojtaba has
reportedly worked to shore up his own political base over the
past 10 years, installing associates from Mashhad into positions
of authority (NFI). These people reportedly remain loyal to
Mojtaba and have developed "specialized" skills, making them
hard to replace.

King-maker?
--------------

7.(S/NF) Although Mojtaba holds no formal position, the source
claimed that even ministers who go to the "Beit," as the office
of the Supreme Leader is called, are deferential to Mojtaba.
The doctor says the Beit suffers from the worst type of
hypocrisy. He claims Mojtaba often acts without his father's
foreknowledge, but his father indulges him and protects him.
Allegedly, the Supreme Leader was furious a few years ago when
he learned his phone was being monitored, but when he found out
his son was responsible, he let it pass.

8.(S/NF) The doctor claimed, without citing sources, that
Mojtaba decided that the Beit would switch its backing to

RPO DUBAI 00000032 002.2 OF 002


Ahmadi-Nejad for president when Mojtaba could not come to an
agreement with first choice candidate Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf
over who would get positions in the new government. However,
Ahmadi-Nejad reportedly broke some of his promises to Mojtaba,
as he has to other supporters (Note: See Ref D citing the same
source. Endnote),and the two are no longer on good terms. The
doctor also claimed that Mojtaba secured for his father-in-law
Qolam Ali Haddad-Adel the position of Majles speaker, despite a
lack of qualifications.

9.(S/NF) Comment: The doctor, a supporter of the regime but a
critic of Ahmadi-Nejad, clearly sees Mojtaba as a negative
influence on Iranian policy. He said that generally people in
Iran accept the fact that "Aghazadeh" or sons of clerics will
profit from their connections and enrich themselves in business,
but Iranians are uncomfortable seeing them accrue a political
role in the Islamic Republic. We note that this is a single
source report about Mojtaba Khamenei, and other contacts have
not mentioned him as an important source of power in Iran. We
will pulse other contacts to check for collaboration.
BURNS