The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2026, following a series of Israeli missile strikes near Tehran, has triggered a succession crisis within the Islamic Republic. The attacks, conducted jointly by the United States and Israel, targeted high-ranking Iranian officials, according to reports. Even as the United States seeks to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, Tehran considers such demands unacceptable, as stated by former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2025.
Khamenei, who had ruled Iran for 35 years, did not designate a clear successor. Sources within the Iranian government, speaking to The New York Times, indicated that Khamenei had three potential candidates in mind, one of whom similarly perished in the recent attacks. The selection of the next Supreme Leader will be made by the Assembly of Experts, a body comprised of high-ranking clerics. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has indicated that a decision could be reached swiftly.
Among the leading contenders is Khamenei’s son, 56-year-traditional Mojtaba Khamenei. He is described as a behind-the-scenes power broker with limited public profile, reportedly playing a significant role in managing his father’s financial affairs and wielding influence within the bureaucratic apparatus and the Revolutionary Guard. But, analysts, including Suzanne Maloney of the Council on Foreign Relations, suggest his lack of formal administrative experience, modest theological credentials, and the regime’s aversion to hereditary succession could pose obstacles to his ascension. The concept of transferring power from father to son is viewed unfavorably in Iran, particularly following the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty.
Another prominent candidate is 69-year-old Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, currently the head of Iran’s judiciary. He previously served as Minister of Intelligence, Prosecutor General, and First Deputy of the Supreme Court. The New York Times reported that Mohseni-Ejei was among Khamenei’s favored successors, alongside the late Ali Asghar Hedjazi, who headed Khamenei’s office, and Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ruhollah Khomeini. Mohseni-Ejei is known as a hardliner and staunch conservative, publicly vowing zero tolerance for protestors during widespread demonstrations at the end of 2025 and beginning of 2026, during which thousands may have been killed.
Hassan Khomeini, 49, represents a more reform-minded faction. He manages his grandfather’s mausoleum in Tehran but has not held a formal government position. While he lacks strong ties to the security apparatus or ruling elite, his familial connection provides a degree of legitimacy. He was disqualified from running for a seat in the Assembly of Experts in 2016.
Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri, approximately 64 years old, is a member of the Assembly of Experts and head of the Islamic Sciences Academy. He is considered a staunch conservative and a loyal supporter of the late Khamenei. Al-Jazeera reports that Mirbagheri is known for his critical stance towards the West and his belief in an inevitable conflict between believers and non-believers. He recently sparked controversy with remarks suggesting that the deaths of half the world’s population would be justified if it brought people closer to God, a statement made in response to the high death toll in Gaza.
Ali Reza Arafi, 67, is a less publicly known figure, but holds significant influence within the religious establishment. He serves as a vice chairman of the Assembly of Experts and a member of the Guardian Council, which vets candidates for elections and legislation. He also heads Iran’s seminary system. His appointment to these positions by Khamenei is seen as a sign of trust in his bureaucratic capabilities.
Hachem Hoseyni Bushehri, aged 69 or 70, is the first vice chairman of the Assembly of Experts and reportedly had close ties to Khamenei. He lacks widespread public recognition and has limited connections to the Revolutionary Guard, according to CNN.
Following Khamenei’s death, Ali Reza Arafi was appointed as a member of the Iranian Leadership Council, tasked with fulfilling the duties of the Supreme Leader until the Assembly of Experts elects a permanent successor.
