Khamenei's $147 Billion Fortune May Pass to Son

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes, amassed a fortune estimated at $100 billion to $200 billion, raising questions about where the vast wealth will flow amid political turmoil.

Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth's online portal Ynet reported on Jan. 3 (local time) that much of Khamenei's wealth grew through his control of Setad, a secretive organization established to manage assets confiscated during the 1979 revolution. His assets are held in bank accounts across Venezuela, the United Arab Emirates, Syria, France, the United Kingdom and several African nations, and have been dispersed to Swiss banks through shell companies over the past decade, Ynet said.

Khamenei's death has heightened the likelihood of disputes over his fortune between his family and the Iranian regime. His surviving family includes his wife, four sons and one daughter—another daughter was killed in the strikes.

The frontrunner to inherit both Khamenei's personal wealth and control of Setad's coffers is his second son, Mojtaba Khamenei. The New York Times reported on Jan. 3, citing Iranian officials, that the Assembly of Experts—the constitutional body that selects the supreme leader—convened that day to deliberate the matter and is considering formally announcing Mojtaba as successor on Jan. 4.

Mojtaba Khamenei is a hardliner like his father. Though he has never held an official government position in Iran, he is reported to wield considerable behind-the-scenes influence through close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that a farewell ceremony for Khamenei will begin at 10 p.m. on Jan. 4 (3:30 a.m. Jan. 5 Korea time). The three-day event will be held at Imam Khomeini Prayer Square in Tehran. Details of the funeral procession will be announced once finalized. Iranian authorities have declared a 40-day mourning period.