According to the U.S. Department of Treasury's official website the action taken by OFAC aims to " to block funds from flowing to a shadow network of Ali Khamenei’s military and foreign affairs advisors who have for decades oppressed the Iranian people, exported terrorism, and advanced destabilizing policies around the world."

Axar.az reports citing Radiofarda that the statement said:

"The Supreme Leader has delegated a part of his leadership responsibilities to Mojtaba Khamenei," and that he maintains close ties with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps IRGC and the Basij militia.

During the past ten years, some clerics have said that Mojtaba is being groomed to be a marja' or a religious source of emulation.; a position that would unusually promote his position and rank in Iran's clerical circle. To this end, he has been teaching advanced religious courses at the Qom Seminary since 2009.

According to Jahan News website, this has annoyed some clerics who believe Mojtaba is taking advantage of his father's position. But clerics close to Khamenei have been reportedly calling on renowned clergymen in Qom to help elevate Mojtaba to the position of “source of emulation” as a first step in grooming him for the role of Supreme Leader after Khamenei's death.

His name appearing on the list of sanctions was not an accidental occurrence or part of psychological warfare against the Iranian government. It was the rise in the extent of his power and influence that brought him into the spotlight.

Khamenei certainly has a plan about Mojtaba's future. The more the discussions regarding Mojtaba's future role and responsibilities find their way into the public spotlight, including social media, those plans are likely to become increasingly more complicated and at the same time difficult to realize.