Who Will Lead Iran If Mojtaba Khamenei Dies? Top Names In Supreme Leader Race

Published 8 August 2026 · world

News world Who Will Lead Iran If Mojtaba Khamenei Dies? Top Names In Supreme Leader Race Who Will Lead Iran If Mojtaba Khamenei Dies? Top

News world Who Will Lead Iran If Mojtaba Khamenei Dies? Top Names In Supreme Leader Race Who Will Lead Iran If Mojtaba Khamenei Dies? Top Names In Supreme Leader Race Published By, Last Updated: August 08, 2026, 16:43 IST If Mojtaba Khamenei dies or becomes incapacitated, Iran’s leadership could face a major transition. Here are the key names who could emerge as the next Supreme Leader. Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who was wounded in the US-Israeli strike that launched the Middle East war, has not appeared in public since succeeding his father, who was killed in the same attack. (File image/AP) Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is facing renewed health concerns, with reports claiming that his condition has become critical. His health has remained under intense scrutiny since he succeeded his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes at the beginning of the West Asia conflict. Israeli outlet Channel 14 has reported that Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition is “extremely critical", while other reports have suggested that his death could be imminent. However, these claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no confirmed official announcement regarding his condition. Mojtaba has remained largely out of public view since taking over as Iran’s Supreme Leader. His absence has fuelled speculation about his health and raised questions about what could happen if he were to die or become unable to perform his duties.

So, what happens to Iran’s leadership if Mojtaba Khamenei can no longer serve as Supreme Leader? What happens if Iran’s Supreme Leader dies or becomes incapacitated? Iran’s Constitution lays down a procedure for dealing with a vacancy in the office of Supreme Leader. Under Article 111, if the Supreme Leader dies, resigns, is removed or becomes temporarily unable to perform his duties, a three-member Interim Leadership Council assumes his responsibilities until a new leader is appointed. The council comprises The President of Iran, currently Masoud Pezeshkian The Head of the Judiciary, currently Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei A religious jurist from the Guardian Council, selected through the process specified in Article 111 The council temporarily exercises the powers of the Supreme Leader while the succession process gets underway. Who Chooses Iran’s Next Supreme Leader? The 88-member Assembly of Experts is constitutionally responsible for selecting the Supreme Leader. If the position becomes vacant, the Assembly is required to move as quickly as possible to appoint a replacement. The process is particularly significant because the Supreme Leader holds enormous authority over Iran’s military, judiciary, foreign policy and other key state institutions. Who Could Emerge As A contender? Several senior clerics and political figures have previously been discussed as potential candidates for Iran’s top leadership position. Ayatollah Alireza Arafi is one of the prominent names.