Tehran, Iran – Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has died following a major attack by the United States and Israel, Iranian state media confirmed Saturday. The death of Khamenei, who had held power since 1989, throws Iran’s political future into uncertainty and raises the specter of further regional escalation.
The attack, described by Israeli officials as an effort to dismantle Iran’s security apparatus, comes after a period of heightened tensions. U.S. Central Command released videos showing missile strikes targeting a variety of locations within Iran, while Israel reported a barrage of Iranian missiles in response, injuring a woman in Tel Aviv.
Iran’s constitution outlines a complex process for selecting a new supreme leader. The 88-member Assembly of Experts, a body of senior clerics, is tasked with choosing Khamenei’s successor. This is only the second time the assembly has undertaken this responsibility since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979; the first was following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, leading to the swift selection of Khamenei.
According to reports, the Iranian government will attempt to project stability while the Assembly of Experts convenes to discuss potential candidates. However, the timing of this process is complicated by President Donald Trump’s stated intention to continue targeting the regime, potentially deterring open meetings.
The new leader must meet specific qualifications outlined in the constitution: be a male Shia Muslim cleric with political competence, moral authority, and loyalty to the Islamic Republic. The Assembly of Experts has the power to interpret these rules, potentially excluding reformist clerics who advocate for greater social freedoms and engagement with the international community.
Sources indicate that Khamenei had reportedly identified four potential successors before his death, though their identities remain undisclosed. In the interim, a three-member council comprised of the president, the head of the judiciary, and a jurist from the Guardian Council will collectively assume the duties of the supreme leadership.
Several individuals have been identified as potential candidates. Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of the late supreme leader, is considered a powerful figure with strong ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij militia. However, hereditary succession is viewed unfavorably within Shia Muslim circles, and Mojtaba lacks the formal religious credentials of a high-ranking cleric. He was too sanctioned by the U.S. In 2019.
Alireza Arafi, a 67-year-old cleric and current vice chairman of the Assembly of Experts, is described as a trusted confidant of Khamenei. He also serves on the influential Guardian Council, which vets election candidates and legislation. Arafi is considered proficient in technology and fluent in Arabic and English, having authored 24 books and articles.
Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri, a 60-year-old hardline cleric and member of the Assembly of Experts, represents the most conservative wing of the Iranian clergy. He recently justified high casualty figures in the conflict in Gaza, stating that even the deaths of half the world’s population would be “worth it” to achieve closeness to God. He currently leads the Islamic Sciences Academy in the holy city of Qom.
Hassan Khomeini, the 50-year-old grandson of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, possesses significant religious and revolutionary legitimacy. However, he has not held public office and appears to have limited influence within the security apparatus or ruling elite. He was barred from running for the Assembly of Experts in 2016.
Hashem Hosseini Bushehri, a senior cleric in his 60s, is closely associated with the institutions managing the succession process, particularly the Assembly of Experts, where he serves as the first vice chairman. He is described as close to Khamenei but maintains a low profile domestically and lacks strong ties to the IRGC.
As of Sunday, the Assembly of Experts has not announced a timeline for selecting a new supreme leader. The political landscape remains fluid, and the potential for further conflict remains high.