Who will lead Iran next? Succession process begins after Khamenei's demise

TEHRAN (Dunya News) - Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s killing in US-Israel joint missile strikes, has raised critical questions about the country’s political future and the process of succession.

Under the Constitution of Iran, an interim leadership council is formed immediately after the Supreme Leader’s death. This temporary body assumes the Leader’s responsibilities until a permanent successor is appointed. The council consists of the sitting president, the head of the judiciary, and a cleric selected from the Guardian Council by the Expediency Council.

Among the current interim figures are President Masoud Pezeshkian and Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei. However, their role is temporary.

The authority to appoint the next Supreme Leader lies with the 88-member Assembly of Experts, a body of elected Shia clerics chosen through public elections every eight years. The Guardian Council vets candidates before they can run for the Assembly.

The selection process is largely conducted behind closed doors, making predictions difficult. Previously, former President Ebrahim Raisi was widely seen as a potential successor before his death in 2024. Now, speculation surrounds Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of Ali Khamenei, though he has never held formal public office.

This marks only the second leadership transition in the Islamic Republic’s history. The first occurred in 1989 after the death of Ruhollah Khomeini, when Ali Khamenei was selected as Supreme Leader.

The coming weeks are expected to be decisive as Iran navigates one of the most sensitive transitions in its history.