According to an exclusive CBS News disclosure, the US Intelligence Community has presented President Donald Trump and a close circle of advisers with internal analysis suggesting that Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, had serious doubts about the ability of his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, to succeed him as leader of the Islamic Republic.
According to sources familiar with the Intelligence reports, analysis shows that Ali Khamenei himself was skeptical of the idea of Mojtaba taking power.
In internal intelligence assessments, his son was perceived as "not very smart" and seen as unfit to hold the most powerful political and religious post in Iran.
Sources from the US administration, the Intelligence community and people close to Trump also say that the information collected shows that Ali Khamenei was aware of some problems in his son's personal life, which had increased reservations about a possible dynastic transition at the head of the Iranian system.
Briefing Trump and senior officials
According to the report, Trump, the vice president and other senior officials were briefed on this intelligence data in classified briefings.
However, in private conversations, Trump has expressed doubts about the real relevance of this information in the current situation.
He has stated that, in his assessment, Iran may be practically without clear leadership at this moment.
Trump has gone even further in some discussions, saying that there is a possibility that Mojtaba Khamenei himself is no longer alive.
Doubts about the fate of Mojtaba Khamenei
According to information circulated within the US administration, Mojtaba Khamenei is believed to have been injured during the attack that killed his father, Ali Khamenei.
However, prior to this development, he was reported to have remained part of the supreme leader's inner circle of power and was considered one of the most influential figures behind the scenes in the Iranian establishment.
If it is confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei is seriously injured or dead, this would create a deep power vacuum in Tehran and open a new battle for control of the political and religious structures of the Islamic Republic.