Iran's state broadcaster airing the first message from Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei [IRIB screen capture]

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the former Supreme Leader of Iran who died in a U.S.-Israeli attack, had concerns about his second son, Mojtaba, and U.S. intelligence reported this to President Donald Trump, CBS News reported on the 15th (local time).

According to several sources familiar with the matter, U.S. intelligence agencies conveyed to President Trump and a small circle of his confidants an analysis that Khamenei was concerned about his son becoming Supreme Leader in his stead.

The elderly Khamenei was wary of a situation where his son Mojtaba might one day seize power, as Mojtaba was considered not very intelligent and deemed unqualified to be a leader.

Furthermore, Khamenei was aware of Mojtaba's personal life issues, sources said.

Mojtaba served as his father's close aide for years and was elected Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts on the 8th, following Khamenei's death.

President Trump [Reuters Yonhap News]

The following day, in an interview with NBC, President Trump stated, "I think they made a big mistake," regarding Mojtaba's election as Supreme Leader, adding, "I don't know if that will last."

In an interview with Fox News, he described Mojtaba as a "lightweight" and an "unacceptable" figure as Iran's leader.

However, it is reported that President Trump told his confidants in private conversations that information related to Mojtaba was not significant.

President Trump reportedly views Iran as effectively lacking a leader at present and believes there is a possibility Mojtaba may have already died.

The White House assesses that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is currently controlling the situation, which is considered a significant change from the theocratic dictatorship maintained since the 1979 revolution.

The Trump administration believes Mojtaba was injured during the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, though his exact condition remains unconfirmed.

Previously, the U.S. State Department announced a reward of up to $10 million (approximately 14.98 billion Korean won) for information on the whereabouts of Mojtaba and nine other key Iranian leaders.