- By Vaidika Thapa
- Sat, 28 Feb 2026 05:02 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Israel, in a joint operation with the US, launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, escalating tensions in the middle east region. This development has shifted attention to Iran and its 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His absence from public view during the recent military escalation has sparked fresh discussion about what would happen if he were to step down or be assassinated in the strikes.
The discussions are significant as any such development would trigger the most important political transition in the Islamic Republic since the 1979 Islamic revolution, which resulted in the ouster of the Pahalvi dynasty. According to Iran's constitution, the Assembly of Experts is responsible for choosing the next Supreme Leader.
In times of crisis, senior figures such as Ali Larijani, a veteran politician and current head of the Supreme National Security Council, is seen as someone who could manage the transition.
Who All Can Replace Khamenei?
While no official successor has been named publicly, several clerics are widely discussed as possible replacements. Here is a look at five men who are often mentioned as potential successors to Khamenei.
Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei
Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, 56, the son of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is frequently mentioned as a possible successor. The second eldest child of Khamenei, Mojtaba has served in the Iran–Iraq War from 1987 to 1988. Although he holds no formal government position, he is believed to have significant influence behind the scenes, especially within security circles. However, in mid-2025, there were reports that the Assembly of Experts had excluded Mojtaba from a confidential list of potential candidates.
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Alireza Arafi
Alireza Arafi, 66, is a senior cleric and a member of both the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts. He also serves as the Friday prayer leader of Qom and heads Iran's seminary network. His strong religious background and close ties to the current leadership make him a potential contender. His appointments by Khamenei over the years have strengthened his position within Iran’s religious establishment.
Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri
Another potential contender is Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri, 65, who represents the hardline wing of Iran’s clerical establishment. He leads the Islamic Sciences Academy in Qom and sits on the Assembly of Experts. He supports strict clerical rule and rejects Western political models, positions that appeal to conservative factions.
Ahmad Hosseini Khorasani
Ahmad Hosseini Khorasani, 67, is a member of the Guardian Council and represents Razavi Khorasan in the Assembly of Experts. Though he maintains a lower public profile, he holds key institutional roles and strongly defends the Islamic Republic's current power structure.
Mohammad Reza Modarresi Yazdi
Mohammad Reza Modarresi Yazdi, 71, has served on the Guardian Council and in the Assembly of Experts. Even though he is less publicly visible, his long experience inside Iran's top oversight bodies gives him credibility as one of the strongest contenders. While the final decision would rest with the Assembly of Experts, the selection of Iran's next Supreme Leader would shape the country's political direction, foreign policy and internal power balance.