Hebrew media: ‘Israel’ fears renewed fighting as Mojtaba Khamenei seeks “revenge”

‘Israeli’ security officials are closely monitoring developments in Iran amid funeral ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in earlier US-‘Israeli’ strikes.

They fear that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father, are driven by a strong desire for revenge, raising the risk of escalated hostilities, according to Hebrew media.

Senior ‘Israeli’ officials assess that Mojtaba Khamenei harbors an intense personal motivation for retaliation, stemming not only from the regime's military setbacks but also from the direct circumstances of his father's death.

This sentiment is reportedly amplified by key IRGC figures, including commander Ahmad Vahidi, contributing to a volatile environment as Iran navigates postwar recovery.

According to reports shared with Hebrew news outlet Walla, ‘Israeli’ security sources view certain elements of the ongoing ceremonies as deliberate efforts to normalize and validate Mojtaba Khamenei's leadership status.

The events have drawn participation from representatives of various groups, underscoring attempts to project continuity and unity within the Iranian leadership despite internal challenges.

Mojtaba Khamenei, who was reportedly wounded during the strikes that killed his father, has maintained a low public profile. Iranian security officials are said to have prevented him from attending key funeral rites, including the planned burial in Mashhad, due to fears of ‘Israeli’ assassination attempts or tracking operations.

The IRGC has issued strong public vows of revenge against ‘Israel’ and the United States, framing the conflict in existential terms. ‘Israeli’ defense officials, including Minister Israel Katz, have responded by indicating that Mojtaba Khamenei remains a marked target.