"The Iranians are showing defiance by choosing the son of Khamenei," a former diplomat told CNBC.

If confirmed, the move could draw the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump who had said he should have a role in the choice of the next leader, a demand Iran has roundly rejected.

Regime lines up Khamenei’s son for the top job in a country reeling from the US-Israeli onslaught and virtually at war with its Gulf neighbours

The 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei is set to continue leadership of Iran in the same vein as his father