Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei Reportedly in Hiding Amid Succession Planning

Iran’s Supreme Leader, 68-year-old Ali Khamenei, has reportedly gone into hiding with his family, according to the Reuters Agency. This move comes as a special unit of the Revolutionary Guards takes on the obligation of protecting both Khamenei and the future of the Islamic Republic. Behind the scenes, a committee is accelerating its work to determine who will assume power in the country. The succession process has gained urgency following recent Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and public threats from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated he knew Khamenei’s location and described him as an “easy goal” [[SOURCE]].

The Succession Committee: Two Leading Candidates

The selection of Khamenei’s successor is being managed by a three-member committee appointed by Khamenei himself two years ago. Two main candidates have emerged as frontrunners: Mojtaba khamenei, Ali Khamenei’s 56-year-old son, and Hasan khomeini, the 52-year-old grandson of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Hasan Khomeini is seen as an ally of the reformist camp, advocating for the relaxation of social and political constraints. Despite facing resistance from conservatives, his lineage commands respect among the spiritual elite and the Revolutionary Guards. He recently affirmed his loyalty to the regime, stating his readiness to serve the Iranian peopel in any capacity. Sources suggest his candidacy has gained traction as the regime seeks a figure who can ease external and internal pressures, signaling potential change to the West and the Iranian populace.

Mojtaba Khamenei, on the other hand, embodies the hardline stance of his father, emphasizing resistance to foreign pressures, suppression of dissent, and unwavering adherence to revolutionary values.While he has never held an official position, he wields considerable influence behind the scenes as an informal administrator of his father’s power. In 2019, the U.S. imposed sanctions on him for effectively performing state functions without a formal mandate.

challenges to Khamenei’s Legacy

Ali Khamenei has reportedly hesitated to cede too much power, fearing that appointing his son could be perceived as a return to the monarchy that the 1979 revolution overthrew.According to the iranian Constitution, the Supreme Leader is selected by the Assembly of Experts, a theological body whose 88 members must be approved by a conservative supervisory board. While the Assembly officially makes the decision, the Revolutionary Guards, with thier control over security and political power, exert important influence.

Did You Know? The Assembly of Experts is comprised of 88 members,all of whom must be clerics.

This situation echoes 1989, when Khamenei succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah khomeini. At that time, Khamenei was not the favorite but rose to power through the support of the Revolutionary Guards, political purges, and the suppression of protests. However, iran today faces a vastly different landscape, with a struggling economy, mounting foreign pressure, and growing internal discontent. Last year, Hasan Khomeini cautioned against the “crisis of growing folk disillusionment,” suggesting he could pave the way for a more open government without destabilizing the regime.

Other Potential Successors

Several figures previously considered potential successors are no longer in contention. Former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani died in 2017,ex-Chairman Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi passed away a year later,and President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash in 2024.

Some analysts beleive a lesser-known cleric, controlled by the Revolutionary Guards, could ultimately be chosen. Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, suggests that “it may be someone no one knows-but it will be easier to control.”

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on lesser-known figures within the Iranian clergy as potential dark horse candidates for Supreme Leader.

Key Figures in Iran’s Succession Planning

What impact will the choice of the next Supreme Leader have on Iran’s relationship with the West? How will this succession affect the internal stability of Iran?