Iran’s new supreme leader is ‘his father on steroids,’ experts warn of hardline rule

"Think of Mojtaba Khamenei as his father on steroids."

That is how Kasra Aarabi, director of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps research at the advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, described Iran’s new supreme leader in comments to Fox News Digital following reports that the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been selected to lead the Islamic Republic.

"Mojtaba was already operating as a ‘mini supreme leader’ in the Bayt-e Rahbari — his father’s office and the core nucleus of power in the regime," Aarabi said.

IF KHAMENEI FALLS, WHO TAKES IRAN? STRIKES WILL EXPOSE POWER VACUUM — AND THE IRGC’S GRIP

"His father had created the Bayt’s extensive apparatus as a hidden power structure to ensure continuity should he be eliminated — and through Mojtaba’s appointment, this is exactly what we will get," Aarabi said.

President Donald Trump also reacted to Mojtaba Khamenei’s rise. In an interview with the New York Post, Trump said he was "not happy with" the younger Khamenei replacing his father as leader of Iran’s theocratic system but declined to elaborate on how the United States might respond. "Not going to tell you," Trump said when asked about his plans regarding the new supreme leader. "Not going to tell you. I’m not happy with him."

An Iranian source with knowledge of the leadership transition told Fox News Digital that earlier speculation Mojtaba might pursue reforms now appears unlikely given the circumstances surrounding his appointment.

"Previously there were whispers suggesting that if Mojtaba were to become the leader, he might introduce reforms that would both open up the domestic political space and bring a more interactive approach to foreign policy," the source said.

"However, now this possibility seems very weak."

Mojtaba was chosen "amid disputes, controversies, and pressure from the IRGC," according to the source, meaning he "owes his appointment to their support and therefore cannot act against their wishes."

TRUMP SAYS IRAN’S SUCCESSION BENCH WIPED OUT AS ISRAELI STRIKE HITS LEADERSHIP DELIBERATIONS

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has spent decades building influence inside the power structures surrounding Iran’s supreme leader.

Born in 1969 in Mashhad, he pursued clerical studies in Tehran, Iran, after the 1979 Islamic Revolution that brought his father to prominence. Over time, however, analysts say his influence developed less through traditional clerical authority and more through Iran’s security institutions.

In 2019, the United States sanctioned Mojtaba under Executive Order 13867. The U.S. Treasury Department said he had been "representing the supreme leader in an official capacity despite never being elected or appointed to a government position aside from work in the office of his father."

Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Iran Program, said Mojtaba’s background reflects a broader shift inside the Islamic Republic.

"Despite donning a turban, Mojtaba is the product of the regime’s national security deep state," Ben Taleblu told Fox News Digital. "Expect him to work with and through the IRGC to keep his hold on power."

Aarabi said Mojtaba has spent years consolidating influence behind the scenes.

"His past tells us he enjoys micromanaging every aspect of authority to satisfy his thirst for power," Aarabi said, describing how Mojtaba allegedly relocated IRGC command centers to his office during protests, engineered election outcomes and installed loyalists across state institutions.

Since 2019, Aarabi added, Mojtaba has also been implementing what he described as his father’s effort to "purify" the regime by promoting ideological loyalists across the political system.

"Mojtaba is a deeply antisemitic, anti-American, and anti-Western ideologue," Aarabi said. "He has personally been involved in repression in Iran and terror plots abroad."

IRAN'S SENIOR CLERICS ‘EXPOSED’ AFTER BUILDING STRIKE IN QOM, SUCCESSION CHOICE LOOMS

Analysts say Mojtaba’s rise may further strengthen the role of Iran’s security institutions.

"The rise of the younger Khamenei expedites trendlines seen in Iranian politics and national security for years," Ben Taleblu said. "From one Khamenei to another, things in Iran can be expected to go from bad to worse if this regime survives."

"And like the elder Khamenei, corruption runs in the family," he added.

Ben Taleblu warned that the regime may also escalate tensions externally as a survival strategy.

"The regime knows it is weak, but believes it can extract a price and widen a crisis in order to survive," he said.

For opposition groups inside Iran, the leadership transition signals continuity rather than reform.

"He's the son of Khamenei and they have same ideology and they same strategy and they try to continue the same policy," said Khalid Azizi, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran.

"So far it's very difficult to say what he will be done and is he going to have a different policy? I don't expect this."

The Iranian source who spoke with Fox News Digital said that while engagement with the United States and the West is theoretically possible in the future, the chances remain slim.

"As I mentioned," the source said, "this possibility is very weak."

"In short," Aarabi said, "Mojtaba is his father on steroids. He’s certainly no MBS."

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The unlikely tool Trump is eyeing to tackle rising oil prices amid the Iran conflict

The new battleground in the Gulf isn’t just on the water — it’s in the insurance market, where war-risk coverage can determine which oil tankers sail and which stay put.

With the conflict driving gasoline prices higher, the White House is weighing steps to keep oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz and to keep prices from climbing further.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between Iran and Oman, carries roughly 20 million barrels of oil a day and about one-fifth of global supply of liquefied natural gas. When conflict flares in the region, even the threat of disruption can rattle markets because so much of the world’s energy moves through that single corridor.

WATCH SHIPPING THROUGH THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ GRIND TO A HALT AMID IRAN CONFLICT

And with so much at stake, the White House is turning to an unlikely tool: insurance.

President Donald Trump said the U.S. could use a government-backed insurance program to lower war-risk premiums for vessels in the region. Under a backstop, the government would absorb part of any major losses, easing pressure on private insurers and shipowners.

Because when danger rises, the bill rises.

Insurers charge more to cover ships and cargo, shippers add "war-risk" surcharges and some vessels slow down, detour or pause altogether. Those delays can tighten supply and push crude prices higher even if oil production hasn’t changed.

Against that backdrop, the latest disruption, sparked by U.S.-Israeli strikes starting on Feb. 27 and retaliatory Iranian drone and missile attacks across the region, is forcing shippers and insurers to rethink whether it’s safe to transit the waterway. 

NEW SATELLITE IMAGES SHOW FIRES, NAVAL BASE DAMAGE ACROSS IRAN AFTER US-ISRAELI STRIKES

Some global insurers are already tightening terms. Maritime insurance titans Gard, Skuld, NorthStandard, the London P&I Club and the American Club, have already canceled war-risk coverage, leaving voyages through Iranian and nearby waters without insurance.

Not all coverage is disappearing though. Lloyd’s of London, an insurance marketplace that brings together multiple insurers to cover large, high-risk voyages, said its vessels operating in the Gulf region have a combined hull value exceeding $25 billion. It added that coverage is still in place.

A Lloyd’s spokesperson told Reuters the market is in talks with U.S. officials about possible options. Separately, global insurance broker Marsh said it met with Trump administration representatives to discuss the idea.

Matt Smith, an analyst at Kpler, said coverage is a baseline requirement for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, but it doesn’t eliminate the risk. 

"It’s essential for all of these tankers to have insurance. You simply cannot pass through the Strait of Hormuz if you don’t have the insurance, given the high possibility of getting struck by a missile," Smith told Fox News Digital.

"But even with that insurance in place, it’s little comfort for those on the ship if there’s a chance the vessel is going to be attacked," he added.

With that calculus in mind, Maersk, widely regarded as a bellwether for global ocean freight, said it will suspend all vessel crossings through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice and warned service to Arabian Gulf ports could be delayed.

When big shippers hit the brakes, the ripple effects can be felt fast. If oil becomes more expensive or slower to reach buyers, those increases can move through the supply chain and show up for Americans at the pump.

How much Americans feel at the pump will depend on how long the disruption lasts and whether shipping and insurance markets stabilize. Until then, the world’s most important energy chokepoint is likely to keep traders and drivers on edge.

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Trump says 'hatred' between Putin, Zelenskyy blocking Ukraine peace deal

President Donald Trump said Saturday that the "hatred" between Russia and Ukraine is getting in the way of reaching a peace deal in that conflict, where the death toll is getting worse. 

Trump, speaking at the Shield of the Americas Summit in Doral, Fla., told world leaders assembled there that, "The hatred between Putin and his counterpart is so great." 

"It's so great that, you know, Ukraine, Russia, you'd think there would be a little bit of camaraderie, [but] there’s not. And the hatred is so great. It's very hard for them to get there. It's very, very hard to get there. So we'll see what happens," Trump said. "But we've been close a lot of times and one or the other would back out." 

"But we're losing, you know, they're losing, you know, doesn't really affect us very much because we've got an ocean separating. I'm doing it as a favor to Europe, and I'm doing it as a favor to life because they're losing 25,000 souls," Trump added. "Think of that every month. 25,000. Last month, 31,000.  Both sides, 31,000 people died, mostly soldiers." 

UKRAINE’S ZELENSKYY: RUSSIA TRYING ‘TO PLAY’ GAME WITH TRUMP, STALL PEACE TALKS 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Fox News in late February that Russia is trying "to play with the president of the United States" and stalling U.S.-brokered efforts to end the war. 

Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to freeze the conflict along its current lines, proposing a ceasefire followed by negotiations. But he said he would not accept a Russian demand for Ukraine to surrender territory the Russian army has not been able to capture in four years of fighting. 

RUSSIA LOSING ‘MASSIVE’ 25,000 TROOPS MONTHLY IN UKRAINE AS WAR GRINDS ON, NATO CHIEF SAYS 

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in January that Russia is losing between 20,000 and 25,000 troops each month in its war against Ukraine as fighting drags on into a fourth year. 

Rutte told the Renew Europe Global Europe Forum in Brussels at the time that the staggering number of casualties reflects the intensity of Ukraine’s defense but warned that Russia remains NATO’s most significant long-term threat. 

Fox News’ Simon Owen, Greg Palkot and Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report. 

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Trump touts US has 'tremendous' amount of Venezuelan oil, vows to 'take care' of Cuba after Iran focus

President Donald Trump declared Saturday that the U.S. is "taking out tremendous amounts of oil" from Venezuela while vowing to "take care" of Cuba’s regime following America’s focus on Iran. 

The president, speaking at the Shield of the Americas Summit in Florida, prefaced his remarks by saying that since the January operation to capture former Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, the administration has "been working closely with the new president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez," and, "she’s doing a great job working with us." 

"And we're taking out tremendous amounts of oil. They're making more money now than they've ever made, ever made. We have the big oil companies in. They are making more money, we’re getting some," Trump said. "They're getting a lot. They're making more money now than they've ever made in the history of their country." 

"And I'm pleased to say that this week we have formally recognized the Venezuelan government. We've actually legally recognized them. We have also just reached a historic gold deal that's called the gold deal with Venezuela, to allow our two countries to work together to facilitate the sale of Venezuelan gold and other minerals," Trump continued, describing a license issued by the Treasury Department Friday that prohibits people and companies from Iran, North Korea, Russia and Cuba from doing business with Minerven – Venezuela's state-owned gold mining company – among other measures.

US RESTORES DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH VENEZUELA AMID PUSH FOR DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION

"As we achieve a historic transformation in Venezuela, we're also looking forward to the great change that will soon be coming to Cuba. Cuba's at the end of the line," Trump also said. "They're very much at the end of the line. They have no money, they have no oil. They have a bad philosophy. They have a bad regime that's been bad for a long time. And they used to get the money from Venezuela. They get the oil from Venezuela, but they don't have any money from Venezuela. They don't have any oil," Trump added. 

Trump in January had declared a national emergency via an executive order over Cuba, accusing the communist regime of aligning with hostile foreign powers and terrorist groups while moving to punish countries that supply the island nation with oil. 

MILLONS LOSE POWER ACROSS CUBA AS TRUMP SANCTIONS CONTINUE TO FUEL ONGOING ENERGY CRISIS

Trump said Saturday that Cuba is "negotiating with [Secretary of State] Marco [Rubio] and myself and some others. And I would think a deal would be made very easily with Cuba."

"But Cuba is in its last moments of life as it was. It'll have a great new life, but it's in its last moments of life, the way it is," the president added. 

The State Department described the Shield of the Americas Summit in Doral as a gathering of the "strongest likeminded allies in our hemisphere to promote freedom, security, and prosperity in our region." 

Trump said America’s "focus right now is on Iran," but "many of you have come today, and they say, ‘I hope you can take care of Cuba because you've had problems with Cuba, right? You mentioned."

"I was surprised, but, four of you said, actually, ‘could you do us a favor? Take care of Cuba.’ I'll take care of it, okay?" Trump said, garnering applause.  

Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report. 

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DOJ appeals Biden-appointed judge’s block on third-country deportations after Supreme Court steps in — twice

The Department of Justice is turning to an appeals court for relief after a Biden-appointed federal judge blocked the Trump administration from deporting illegal immigrants to countries not designated in their paperwork, arguing the judge had already twice been overruled by the Supreme Court on the issue.

DOJ lawyers urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit to quickly pause the broad order issued by Judge Brian Murphy that blocked the so-called third-country deportations, arguing Murphy’s order threatened to derail sensitive diplomatic negotiations. The DOJ said the order could affect potentially "thousands" of removals, a prospect that threatens to interfere with the Trump administration's aggressive deportation agenda.

"The Supreme Court twice stayed the district court’s sweeping nationwide, classwide preliminary injunction," DOJ lawyers wrote Thursday, accusing Murphy of trying to "evade" the high court’s prior rulings by issuing a new order that was "doubly misguided."

FEDERAL JUDGE STRIKES DOWN LARGE PARTS OF TRUMP MASS DETENTION POLICIES FOR MIGRANTS

The lawyers argued Murphy’s order created an "unworkable scheme" that "materially impairs the ability of the government to enforce the immigration laws" and would cause "massive operational disruption" in an area that often requires "tight timing and sensitive diplomatic coordination."

The high-stakes lawsuit stemmed from several immigrants with final removal orders suing in Massachusetts, alleging the Department of Homeland Security violated immigration laws by failing to provide enough notice for the immigrants to raise claims that they feared they could be tortured in the new country they were to be deported to.

The DOJ in its appeal defended its deportation policy, which allows third-country removals based on assurances the Trump administration receives from the countries. Citing court precedent, the department said the judicial branch is "not suited to second-guess such determinations" because they were a matter of foreign policy and fell strictly under the purview of the executive branch.

DOJ SAYS IT OWES DEPORTED VENEZUELANS NO DUE PROCESS, DARES COURTS TO INTERVENE

Murphy disagreed in his 81-page judgment, which the DOJ is now appealing, saying that the administration's position that it did not need to give notice to the deportees "fails to satisfy due process for a raft of reasons, not least of which is that nobody really knows anything about these purported 'assurances.'"

JUDGE ORDERS MIGRANT DEPORTED IN 'ERROR' FREE FROM ICE CUSTODY WITH CRIMINAL CASE LOOMING

"Whom do they cover? What do they cover? Why has the Government deemed them credible? How can anyone even know for certain that they exist? These are basic questions that the Constitution permits a person to ask before the Government takes away their last and only lifeline," Murphy wrote.

The judge previously issued an injunction with the same findings.

The Supreme Court stayed Murphy’s initial injunction last year without explanation in a 6-3 emergency ruling.

In a follow-up clarification, the justices found 7-2 that Murphy subsequently attempted to enforce the injunction against six detainees bound for South Sudan, which the seven justices — all six conservatives and Justice Elena Kagan — said would flout their earlier order barring him from enforcing it.

The case could once again be bound for the Supreme Court. DOJ lawyers asked the appeals court to intervene within one week and signaled that they would turn to the high court if needed.

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US government contractor accused of stealing $46M arrested on small island, FBI announces

U.S. and French authorities arrested a former U.S. government contractor accused of stealing $46 million in cryptocurrency, the FBI announced on Thursday.

FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the arrest in a statement on X, saying the arrest of John Daghita on the island of St. Martin was a joint operation between the FBI and the French Gendarmerie.

"Last night, John Daghita – a U.S. government contractor who allegedly stole more than $46 million in cryptocurrency from the U.S Marshals Service – was arrested on the island of Saint Martin by the French Gendarmerie’s premier elite tactical unit in a joint operation with the FBI," Patel wrote.

"Thanks to the International Cooperation Team Serious Crime Unit of the French Gendarmerie National in Saint Martin, and the Groupe d’intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale of Guadeloupe for the outstanding coordination," he continued.

TEXAS COUPLE LABELED FAKE ‘CHIP AND JOANNA GAINES’ ADMITS $5M DREAM HOME RENOVATION SCAM

"FBI will continue working 24/7 with our international partners to track down, apprehend, and bring to justice those who attempt to defraud American taxpayers—no matter where they try to hide," he added.

Daghita's recently-deleted LinkedIn page said he worked for Command Services & Support, a Virginia-based firm run by his father, Dean Daghita, according to the New York Post. The company held contracts with the U.S. Marshalls Service that allowed them to manage digital currency seized by the law enforcement agency.

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE ASKS FOR PRAYER AS HER MOTHER REMAINS MISSING: 'WE NEED YOU'

Authorities who carried out the arrest found a briefcase full of cash as well as multiple USB drives.

Daghita's arrest comes roughly a month after authorities in Arizona arrested two California teens in an Arizona home invasion tied to an alleged $66 million cryptocurrency plot.

The teens, who are not being identified by Fox News Digital because they are both under the age of 18, allegedly posed as delivery drivers to gain access to the Scottsdale home on Jan. 31, before forcing their way inside and duct-taping and assaulting two homeowners inside.

During the home invasion, one of the victims denied having cryptocurrency, authorities said. An adult son in the home was able to call police from another room. When officers arrived, the teenagers fled but were later caught and arrested.

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13 easy backyard upgrades to refresh your outdoor space, starting at $20

As temperatures rise, your backyard can quickly become the most-used area of your home. Adding layered lighting, comfortable seating and smart storage makes the space more inviting — without a full renovation. From string lights and outdoor rugs to fire pits and lounge sets, these easy upgrades start at $20.

Add lighting and outdoor rugs for quick upgrades without committing to a full makeover.

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If a patio or deck feels unfinished, an outdoor rug can help pull the space together. This large patterned rug works well under seating areas or dining tables and cleans up easily with a sweep or hose. It also folds up and stores away in the included bag when not in use.  

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Few upgrades transform a patio faster than string lights. These solar-powered strands cast a warm glow and come with a remote and timer. With 15 sockets and 16 shatterproof bulbs, they’re built to last.

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Solar deck lights are an easy way to make outdoor spaces better lit and more inviting. They turn on automatically at dusk and off at dawn, providing light for steps and pathways. A full charge takes about four to five hours in direct sunlight.

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These large whiskey barrel planters give the look of wood without the upkeep, and the built-in drainage helps avoid overwatering. Prefer something sleeker? The all-white fiberstone planter gives a modern feel and works indoors or out.

READ MORE: 15 clever, affordable upgrades to make your home feel new again

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Add this modern black lantern to a dim or completely unlit porch or patio for a bit of extra light and style. The seeded glass casts a soft, textured glow at night, and the fixture comes with mounting hardware for simple installation.

Planters and patio sets add color and function to your backyard without overspending.

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An extra side table gives you a spot for drinks and small plates while relaxing in a lounge or Adirondack chair. This black steel version stays cooler in the sun thanks to its powder-coated finish and cleans up quickly with a hose. 

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Protect cushions, pool floats and gardening tools in this lockable deck box. It helps keep everything in one place and even doubles as extra seating when guests stop by. For bigger storage needs, this 5-by-3-foot shed has double doors and room for lawn tools or even a mower.

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Planning to grow vegetables this spring? A raised garden bed lets you control soil quality and drainage while cutting down on weeds. This galvanized steel option comes in silver, wood grain, black or green to blend in with garden decor. For even easier access, this elevated garden bed reduces bending and back strain.

Get more out of your backyard with bigger investment upgrades like a fire pit or pizza oven.

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A fire pit makes a backyard more inviting after sunset. This wood-burning steel design features a crossweave pattern for better airflow and includes a protective screen to help contain sparks. 

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Lounge chairs help you get more use out of your backyard, whether you’re reading a book or relaxing by the pool. This set is made from durable polyresin designed to handle sun and heat, and the adjustable backs fully recline. Add striped cushions for extra comfort and style.

READ MORE: 11 practical home upgrades you'll actually use – all 40% off or more on Amazon

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This sleek three-piece rattan set comes with two cushioned high-back chairs and a glass coffee table that fits comfortably in tight spaces. A quick wipe keeps it looking clean, making it practical for everyday use.

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Get more use out of your backyard with this two-person dining set. The woven rattan chairs offer a modern look and supportive design, and the cushions come in neutral tones. For larger gatherings, this six-piece set seats four and includes an umbrella.

For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals 

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Cook homemade pizza with this stainless steel oven. It offers multiple fuel options — wood pellets, electric or gas — for flexible cooking. A pizza stone is included, and the folding legs make storage simple.

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.

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