Amidst the chaos and destruction in Tehran, a new era of fear seems to be dawning for the Iranian people.

In covert messages sent beyond the country’s borders during the fifth day of Operation Epic Fury, there are ominous signals of change. Reports suggest that the Assembly of Experts, the highest clerical authority in the Islamic Republic, has officially appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader.

Known among the populace as ‘The Butcher,’ Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the former Ayatollah, appears set to continue the legacy of bloodshed. His ascent signifies the possible beginning of a hereditary autocracy.

Internal discussions have been fervent about his security following his father’s death in a U.S. airstrike on Saturday. Despite these concerns, the 56-year-old Mojtaba is regarded by American intelligence as a ‘capable and forceful leader’ within the regime.

On the ground, there is growing anxiety that his leadership will herald a return to widespread violence. This fear is rooted in memories of the brutal crackdowns on protests earlier this year, where streets were lined with body bags, and the deadly suppression of the 2022 anti-hijab ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement, in which Mojtaba reportedly played a key role.

“He is just as bad as his father, if not worse. I don’t see anything changing with him in power, rendering all efforts by the U.S. and innocent Iranians futile. He was the second most hated person after his father, but now he has become the number one,” shared an Iranian who managed to communicate with the Daily Mail through family members outside Iran late on Tuesday.

For those still trapped inside the country, a communications blackout has seen daily life grind to a standstill.

One citizen, bravely speaking to the Daily Mail by phone, described a populace huddled in their homes, terrified of what the new commander-in-chief could unleash.

‘We are worried that what is coming next will be even worse than what we had before. If we really do have this new leader and the military takes orders from him, Iran will see the most brutal force that they have ever seen,’ the citizen explained through tears.

Iranians fear a resurgence of mass killings, as seen during the brutal crackdown on protests in January. Pictured: Families gather in Kahrizak to search for relatives killed during the regime’s violent crackdown on protests in January

Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has replaced his father, according to reports out of Iran

Messages an Iranian sent to the Daily Mail from inside the country reveal the fears of the repressed population

‘They don’t really trust the phone lines to get into details. Like everyone, they are happy with the elimination of all top leaders. But they are just worried about what comes next. And of course, [so does] my grandmother’s family, who could not leave Tehran,’ a third Iranian tells us

Another young Iranian, who is now safely out of the country, relays his family’s horrified messages from inside, noting that the younger Khamenei is infamous for ‘profiting from sanctions and gaining money from people’s misery.’

‘I’m not surprised if he is as evil as his father. The leader’s role is seen as a sacred position – since he has his father’s last name, the regime supporters might accept him as the successor of his father’s legacy,’ he said.

Fears are compounded by the terrifying prospect of longevity. Like his father who was elected in his 50s, Mojtaba’s reign could last for decades if he survives the current US and Israeli campaign.

A third Iranian whose family is in Tehran told the Daily Mail that his relatives ‘are happy with the elimination of all top leaders.’

But, he said, ‘they are just worried about what comes next. At least Ali Khamenei was very old – we had hope if he dies, there might be a slight change. But if Mojtaba takes his place, he is young. He would stay in power for decades.’

A fourth Iranian described his recent conversation with family in Iran and their thoughts on the new leader.

‘If we end up with anyone from that regime, it would be exactly like North Korea when the son took over from the father. Same ideology, same misery – and they will take their revenge. Almost every night, regime supporters come to the streets chanting death to Pahlavi, death to America. In almost every neighborhood,’ he said.

Prince Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last shah of Iran who went into exile in 1979, is the only real opposition figure who has pledged to lead the country’s transition. He resides in the suburbs of Washington DC but has been a strong voice for regime change, helping build momentum for Iranians to take back their country. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to Pahlavi’s team to inquire what his plans are moving forward. They did not immediately respond.

But Pahlavi has posted a video on his social media in recent days, asking Iranians to stay safe in the meantime and stay tuned for his updates.

‘He was the number two most hated person after his father, but now he would be number one,’ explained one Iranian who managed to speak with family late Tuesday, confirming the new leader’s grim nickname

‘If we end up with anyone from that regime, it would be exactly like North Korea when the son took over from the father. Same ideology, same misery, with a younger-looking leader, and they will take their revenge. People are still in danger,’ another Iranian tell us

The decision to pick Mojtaba was reportedly made after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps put strong pressure on the assembly. His selection had also been seen as unlikely, given that the regime has long criticized hereditary rule.

Indeed, his own father was against starting a dynasty.

Ali Khamenei, who was 86, had secretly named three potential successors before he died, none of whom was his son.

Those he did name were Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, the head of the judiciary, his chief of staff Ali Asghar Hejazi, and Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Iran’s first Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini.

Israeli sources have claimed that Hejazi is dead. 

According to a US intelligence report, the late Ayatollah was ‘reportedly seen by some within the Leader’s Office as treating and consulting Mojtaba as he would an eventual successor to his responsibilities, rather than purely as an advisor.’

However, Mojtaba was seen as weak in clerical terms, according to the report.

‘(He) is not expected ever to achieve by his own scholarship the status of ‘mujtahid,’ far less that of ayatollah,’ the report said.

Mojtaba was repeatedly treated for impotency at hospitals in the UK, according to the document.

It claimed that he was placed under pressure by his family to produce heirs, and that four visits, he eventually had a son who was named ‘Ali’ after his father.