Iran’s clerical body responsible for selecting the country’s Supreme Leader has finalized a successor to the late Ali Khamenei, according to officials in Tehran. The name has not yet been officially disclosed, although reports and political signals increasingly point toward his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
The decision was confirmed on Sunday by members of Iran’s influential Assembly of Experts, which is constitutionally responsible for appointing the country’s top religious and political authority.
Assembly Confirms Majority Decision
Ayatollah Mohsen Heidari Alekasir, a member of the selection body, said the assembly had agreed on a candidate who meets the criteria outlined by Khamenei before his death.
“The most suitable candidate, approved by the majority of the Assembly of Experts, has been determined,” Heidari said in a video statement shared by Iranian media.
He added that the chosen figure fits Khamenei’s guidance that Iran’s Supreme Leader should be someone “opposed by the country’s adversaries.” He also noted that the United States had previously mentioned the candidate’s name, indirectly referencing comments by former US President Donald Trump criticizing the possible appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei.
Reports Suggest Mojtaba Khamenei as Likely Successor
Earlier reports from international media indicated that Mojtaba Khamenei had been selected as the next Supreme Leader amid pressure from Iran’s powerful security establishment.
Mojtaba, a cleric with influence among conservative political circles and the military, reportedly survived airstrikes carried out during the early phase of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
Israel Warns It Will Target Any New Leader
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces warned it would continue to pursue any successor to Khamenei as tensions escalate in the region.
The warning came after a joint operation by the United States and Israel reportedly killed Khamenei in Tehran during strikes at the beginning of the conflict on February 28.
Israeli officials have stated that anyone involved in establishing a new leadership structure in Iran could become a potential target if the conflict intensifies.
Selection Process Still Facing Challenges
Another member of the Assembly of Experts, Ayatollah Mohammad‑Mahdi Mirbagheri, said that certain procedural obstacles still need to be addressed before a final announcement is made.
The 88-member assembly has the constitutional authority to appoint and oversee Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Iran’s Leadership History
Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic following the Iranian Revolution, Iran has had only two Supreme Leaders: Ruhollah Khomeini and Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei led the country for nearly 37 years before reportedly being killed in the recent strikes on Tehran. His death has intensified geopolitical tensions across the Middle East and raised concerns about the direction of Iran’s leadership during a time of regional conflict.
