Iran announced it will select a successor within one to two days following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes after ruling the country with an iron fist for 37 years. The swift timeline aims to minimize the leadership vacuum and accelerate military response capabilities.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera on the 1st that "a new supreme leader will be elected within one to two days." Under Iran's constitution, the supreme leader is chosen by the Assembly of Experts, a body of 88 senior clerics. Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council who oversees military and security affairs, announced that the Assembly of Experts convened the same day to select the next supreme leader.
The supreme leader is determined through secret ballot by Assembly members and requires majority approval from those present. Candidates must be clerics well-versed in Islamic Sharia law with political insight and administrative capabilities.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader's second son, is reportedly among the leading candidates under consideration. Backed by his father's legacy, Mojtaba wields significant influence within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and intelligence agencies. However, he may face internal resistance over dynastic succession.
Ali Larijani, who holds de facto power during the transition, is also mentioned as a suitable figure for stabilizing the regime. Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, head of Iran's seminary system and member of both the Assembly of Experts and Guardian Council, is considered a candidate due to his strong religious legitimacy. Arafi, who enjoyed Khamenei's trust, currently serves as one of three members on the interim Leadership Council.
A prolonged leadership vacuum could hamper Iran's ability to mount a unified response to U.S. and Israeli attacks. Internal power struggles and renewed anti-government protests following Khamenei's death also remain concerns.
Iran has precedent for rapid succession. After Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who established the theocratic system following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, died on June 3, 1989, the Assembly of Experts convened the following day and installed Khamenei as supreme leader within hours. At that time, Iran had just concluded its war with Iraq, heightening urgency to avoid a power vacuum.