Khamenei’s Nephew Urges Toppling Regime in Iran

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei meets a crowd of his supporters on January 9. Mahmoud Moradkhani in the framework (AFP/LinkedIn)
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei meets a crowd of his supporters on January 9. Mahmoud Moradkhani in the framework (AFP/LinkedIn)
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Khamenei’s Nephew Urges Toppling Regime in Iran

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei meets a crowd of his supporters on January 9. Mahmoud Moradkhani in the framework (AFP/LinkedIn)
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei meets a crowd of his supporters on January 9. Mahmoud Moradkhani in the framework (AFP/LinkedIn)

Mahmoud Moradkhani, the nephew of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, called for the “swift toppling of the regime in Iran,” but also criticized some opposition parties as “ineffective.”

During a press interview in Paris, which was attended by Asharq Al-Awsat, Moradkhani strongly criticized Khamenei, saying that he is “devoid of religious and civil legitimacy and is incompetent in religious sciences.”

Moradkhani did not hesitate to describe Khamenei as “the butcher of the people” and the “most despised” figure among Iranians.

Iran’s regime is established on religious and ideological beliefs, according to Moradkhani. This makes it very difficult for reform to prevail.

“There is no hope for reforming the regime from within. Therefore, there is no alternative to overthrowing it,” explained Moradkhani.

Moreover, Khamenei wants to make it clear to everyone that violence “is the source of the system.”

“Khamenei cannot take a single step back, so his plan is to resort to permanent repression,” clarified Moradkhani, adding that this has “left people with no alternative to defending themselves but resistance.”

In parallel with his criticism of the regime, Moradkhani described the Iranian opposition as “ineffective at home and on the ground.”

Moradkhani believed that the problem lies in the absence of a vision regarding “the stage that could follow the fall of the regime.”

The “Revolution” that Iran has known for four months now, according to Moradkhani, “did not produce figures with a clear program and distinct personalities.”

As for who would succeed Khamenei, Moradkhani believes that there is no replacement to the current leader from outside the circle close to him and surrounding him.

It is highly likely that the successor to Khamenei will be his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who “enjoys the support of the Revolutionary Guards,” revealed Moradkhani.

He emphasized that the Revolutionary Guards is an active and influential force in choosing Khamenei’s successor.

Moradkhani’s sister, Farideh Moradkhani, was recently arrested after she recorded a video describing the authorities led by her uncle as a “murderous and child-killing regime.”

Moradkhani’s mother and Khamenei’s sister, Badri Hosseini Khamenei, sent a letter in late December declaring that she had washed her hands of her brother, whom she described as a “tyrant.”



Netanyahu Says He Will Seek to Dismiss the Head of Israel’s Internal Security Service

 Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP)
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP)
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Netanyahu Says He Will Seek to Dismiss the Head of Israel’s Internal Security Service

 Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP)
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday he will seek to dismiss the head of the country's internal security service this week, following a power struggle over the Hamas attack that sparked the war in Gaza.

Netanyahu said in a statement he has had “ongoing distrust” with Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, and “this distrust has grown over time.”

The Shin Bet is responsible for monitoring Palestinian armed groups, and recently issued a report accepting responsibility for its failures around the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack. But it also criticized Netanyahu, saying failed government policies helped create the climate that led to it.

The tensions boiled over this weekend when Bar’s predecessor, Nadav Argaman, said he would release sensitive information about Netanyahu if it is found that the prime minister had broken the law. Netanyahu accused Argaman of blackmail and filed a police complaint.

The Shin Bet did not have an immediate response to Netanyahu's announcement.

Netanyahu has resisted calls for an official state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 attack and has tried to blame the failures on the army and security agencies. In recent months, a number of senior security officials, including a defense minister and army chief, have been fired or forced to step down.

Bar had been one of the few remaining senior security officials since the Oct. 7 attack to remain in office.

Netanyahu said removing Bar from his position would help Israel “achieve its war goals and prevent the next disaster.” The prime minister is expected to appoint a loyalist in his place, slowing any momentum for the commission of inquiry.

The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a good-governance civil society group, called Netanyahu’s announcement a “declaration of war on the rule of law” and claimed that he does not have the authority to take the step against Bar because of investigations into his own office.

Netanyahu is also angry that the Shin Bet is investigating members of his staff for their dealings with Qatar. The Shin Bet, and Bar, have been closely involved with the hostage negotiations during the war in Gaza.

Netanyahu recently removed Bar from the negotiating team and replaced him with a loyalist, Cabinet minister Ron Dermer. Israeli media have reported on deep policy differences between the negotiators, who have pushed for a hostage deal, and Netanyahu, who continues to threaten to resume the war.