Hassan Khomeini, a grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, is likely to figure prominently in the deliberations to determine the successor of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Supreme Leader.
Hassan's role in the decision-making is significant as he is relatively moderate and poses a challenge to Ayatollah Khamenei's son, Mojtaba, who is a hardline cleric just like his father.
Hassan is well-connected to reformists in the country, including former presidents Mohammed Khatami and Hassan Rouhani. The tenures of Khatami and Rouhani are known for pursuing diplomatic engagements with the West.
Protested Guardian Council, Demanded Accountability over Mhasa Amini death
Hassan, like every other cleric in Iran, is loyal to the Islamic Regime but has, at times, voiced dissent on burning issues.
Back in 2021, he openly criticised the Guardian Council, a body of clerics dictating Iran's theocracy and vetting presidential candidates, for barring reformists from running for the office.
He had said, "You can't pick someone for me and tell me to vote for them!" With such a background, he might contest Mojtaba's appointment to the top post.
His stance on the death of Mhasa Amini, an incident that triggered widespread protests and garnered worldwide attention to the violation of women's rights in the country, was also critical of the establishment, as he had demanded accountability.
Notably, Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman, was taken into custody by morality police. She was accused of violating conservative dress codes. She was later found dead under suspicious circumstances in custody.
A 2015 Reuters report cited one of his friends who described him as a progressive theologian, with slightly softer stance on music, women's rights, and social freedom.
However, this doesn't deviate him from the core Islamic foundations of the Republic. In the December-January protests, which turned deadliest after the 1979 revolution, he backed the establishment. He participated in pro-establishment marches and accused protestors of serving Israeli interests.
Regime wary of him
Historically, the regime has seemed wary of Hassan as he was once barred from running for the Assembly of Experts. A decade ago, Khomeini sought to run for the body which is responsible of election the Supreme Leader.
His candidacy received an initial approval from Khamenei, who blessed him with a caution of not doing anything harming his grandfather's name.
Later, he was disqualified by the Guardian Council, citing his religious credentials. The move was seen as a deliberate attempt to keep reformists away from challenging positions, as Khomeini holds the clerical rank of Hojatoleslam, one notch below Ayatollah
Despite enjoying friendly ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), he had criticised it in 2008 for its intervention in the country's politics.
In an interview, he had said that those claiming loyalty to his grandfather's legacy should follow his order that the military must stay out of politics.
(With inputs from agencies)