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It's definitely a symbolic choice, and one that was made under extraordinary circumstances: if Ali Khamenei wasn't martyred and Iran wasn't at war atm I really don't think Mojtaba would have become Supreme Leader. It's definitely a big middle finger to Trump who specifically named Mojtaba as an "unacceptable choice" for him, and other Ayatollahs hinted their decision would be influenced by Ali Khamenei saying his successor should "be hated by the enemy".

I also read that Mojtaba was strongly backed by the IRGC (and also served in the Iraq-Iran War) so that was probably a big influence behind the choice too.

Yeah, dynastic rule is not great, but it does go hard in the context of replacing the old man the enemy hates with the closest thing possible to a younger clone of him.

*Chants "30 more years" in the style of "4 more years"*

especially for someone without a strong public profile and that lacks the necessary Islamic credentials.

NGL, I think myself and quite a few others in this thread need this sort of scoop. We just don't know if Mojtaba Khamenei has any credentials as a religious leader, an iranian politician or as an administrator. I'm not shia or anything, I just wouldn't know. But it did come across as a symbollic choice, or perhaps as the only real choice possible under duress with the IRGC operating under a sort of 'continuity of governance' type of mobilization. A second Khamenei is at least pallatable to the political factions within the iranian political system in a time when unity is paramount so I can see the rationale.

I generally agree that hereditary succession is not really a great option, although you won't hear me say that outside of this community (or other closed, anti-imperialist leftist circles). I've seen rumors this is who the IRGC wanted, which makes sense potentially given that was was in the Ground Forces during the Iran-Iraq War and is rumored to at least have significant influence over the Basij, although the sources are questionable. I think this was probably cemented when Trump made those comments about him earlier this week about him being a "lightweight" and a choice that he wouldn't accept. Now they are thumbing their nose at him. Hopefully this ends up being a good choice.

He's chosen because he was in charge of the IRGC.

I think it's funny tbh. "Ha ha, we got rif of Khanenei... and replaced him with Khamenei".

It's a mockery of the regime change attempt.

This is the first succession of power for the position, hell if I know if I'd call it "hereditary/dynastic" just with this.

I believe I'd heard in some analysis vid quite a while back that the son is closely affiliated/engaged with the IRGC; I imagine that's the more important point. It might be good optics (though the only optics they should need to care for are their own people, and the Shia world in this context) not to pass it down another generation after, though. But what definitely matters most is keeping the revolutionary core of the state intact (even if it isn't exactly proletarian, in this struggle and in many other things due to circumstances that won't change too much for the foreseeable future it is the same as and vital to the entire cause of the rest of humanity). I imagine it's that kind of consideration that was in play, especially when the country is being besieged by the west, now open in their intent to wage unprovoked war until all of west/central Asia (and ultimately the world) is a destabilized, fractured, helpless hellhole they can prevent from developing forever..

Not to mention, the west are the ones trying to push the shah's failson who never even has stepped foot in the country to be leader instead, the west is full of "constitutional monarchies" and political/economic dynasties, and back a swathe of absolute monarchies in the region and around the world.

Hows Mojtaba Khamenei relation with Ahmadinejad nowadays?

I don't believe it's necessary hereditary, but it's a safe option as well as a unifying one for the nation

Because, who else would be most similar to the previous leader in connections and affiliation with the public without harming or causing potential internal strife if not a designated heir and someone close to the previous leader?

it's a symbol of defiance and continuity of government, while also a nod to the ascendant hardliners as he is not as anti-nuke or restrained as his father. his support base is the IRGC and basij right?

I think the basic requirement is to be a Mujtahid, which he is, and i don’t think his father was an Ayatollah either when he got elected. Which was the reason the requirement for the Supreme Leader to be marja was removed in 1989 after the death of Imam Khomeini.

I think it's better that he does not have a public persona, it means he is focused on scholarship. He is not a marja but neither are the other 2 you mentioned. And while that particular larijani seems like an ok guy; the larijani failsons as a group are associated with corruption, neoliberal technocracy and the reformist camp.