Israel Had Claimed He Was Dead, Now Mojtaba Khamenei Strengthens His Grip on Power

Tehran | August 11, 2026
Following reports in Israeli media claiming that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei was in critical condition and had possibly died, signs are now emerging of further consolidation of power within Iran. According to recent reports, Mojtaba Khamenei has strengthened his grip by assigning key responsibilities within Iran’s security and military establishment to trusted and hardline figures.
Mojtaba Khamenei has reportedly given Ahmad Vahidi an important role linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Mohsen Rezaei a key position associated with the National Security Council. These appointments are being viewed as signs that Iran’s security policy could become more centralized and hardline.
Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen as Iran’s Supreme Leader in March 2026 following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since then, he has gradually expanded his influence over Iran’s military and security establishment.
However, Israeli media recently reported that Mojtaba Khamenei was in critical condition and had been hospitalized. These claims have not been independently verified. Nevertheless, recent developments indicate that Iran’s supreme leadership remains actively engaged in restructuring and consolidating the country’s political, military, and security apparatus.
According to analysts, these appointments could further strengthen Mojtaba Khamenei’s authority and may also signal a tougher Iranian stance toward the United States and Israel.