Multiple frontrunners are emerging to replace Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has gone into hiding following Israeli and U.S. airstrikes. A three-man committee appointed by Khamenei is actively seeking his successor, with two names leading the list: Mojtaba Khamenei, his 56-year-old son, and Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the Islamic Revolution’s architect. Mojtaba, sanctioned by the U.S., is seen as a key figure in advancing his father’s regional ambitions, while Hassan is viewed as a reformist with potential to ease social and political restrictions in Iran.
Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, has been the subject of U.S. sanctions since 2019, with the Treasury Department stating that he has been designated to represent his father in official capacities, despite never holding a formal government position. He teaches theology at a seminary in Qom and is closely aligned with his father’s hardline views, according to Reuters. In contrast, Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Iran’s founder, is seen as a reformist figure with support for easing social and political restrictions in the country. In 2024, Khomeini warned of a “crisis of rising popular dissatisfaction” due to poverty, highlighting his growing influence among Iranians.
The succession process is proceeding under intense scrutiny, with Khamenei currently in a bunker and suspended from electronic communication to protect his hiding place. A trusted aide is relaying his orders amid concerns over assassination threats. The committee’s activities have intensified following recent airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear program, indicating the significance of the succession process in shaping Iran’s future policies and regional influence. No final decision has been made, and Khamenei is expected to have the final say in selecting his successor.
The potential shift in leadership could have profound implications for Iran’s domestic policies and international relations, particularly given the current geopolitical tensions. Analysts suggest that the chosen successor will face the challenge of navigating a country under economic strain and political unrest, while also managing its complex relationships with global powers such as the United States and Israel. As the situation unfolds, the Iranian leadership structure remains a critical factor in the broader Middle East dynamics.