WANA (Sep 07) – The following text is an account by Faridoddin Haddad-Adel—brother of Iran’s current Supreme Leader’s wife—regarding his personal traits and scope of knowledge.

 

Speaking in an interview with domestic media, he shared insights into the character and interests of Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei:

 

“Ayatollah Mojtaba is not as devoted to literature as his father, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, but he watches a lot of movies. He is highly proficient in modern science and technology, has a strong grasp of modern financial literacy, and is very knowledgeable in the field of startups.

 

He is the same when it comes to agriculture and water. He used to say that if the country wants to be independent, its agriculture must be sustainable. Perhaps this level of knowledge and insight was acquired alongside his martyred father.

 

Once, along with an IRGC general, I visited a deprivation-alleviation project. Someone working alongside this general said, ‘We have worked a lot on the issue of water and low-water-consumption industries.’ He mentioned that they had reported all their work to Mr. Mojtaba.

 

He has also read a lot of psychology—though I don’t know the reason why. The depth and level of his study go beyond just reading psychology books. We didn’t work together in that field, but sometimes he would use certain counseling, psychoanalysis, and cognitive science techniques.

 

At one point, I researched ‘hydroponic farming.’ I spoke enthusiastically to Ayatollah Mojtaba about it for fifteen minutes. I noticed a smile occasionally appearing on his face. When I finished talking, he asked, ‘Have you heard about this point as well?’ I said, ‘Yes, I forgot to mention it.’

 

I asked him, ‘Why didn’t you tell me that you knew all this already?’ He replied, ‘I thought to myself that you might have something new to say; go to such-and-such farm in such-and-such place—he has already implemented everything you are talking about.’”