Who will be the next leader of Iran? The succession process starts when Khamenei passes away.

The US-Israel joint missile attacks that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei have sparked serious concerns about the political future of the nation and the succession process.

The Iranian Constitution states that as soon as the Supreme Leader passes away, an interim leadership council is established. Until a permanent successor is chosen, the Leader’s duties are taken on by this interim body. The current president, the head of the judiciary, and a cleric chosen by the Expediency Council from the Guardian Council make up the council.

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, the head of the judiciary, and President Masoud Pezeshkian are two of the current interim leaders. They play a transient role, nevertheless.

The 88-member Assembly of Experts, a body of elected Shia clerics chosen in public elections every eight years, has the power to choose the next Supreme Leader. Candidates are vetted by the Guardian Council prior to being eligible to run for the Assembly.

Predictions are challenging because the selection procedure is mostly carried out behind closed doors. Prior to his passing in 2024, former President Ebrahim Raisi was regarded by many as a possible successor. Although he has never held official public office, Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of Ali Khamenei, is currently the subject of rumors.

In the history of the Islamic Republic, this is just the second change of leadership. The first took place in 1989 when Ali Khamenei was chosen as the Supreme Leader following the passing of Ruhollah Khomeini.

As Iran negotiates one of the most delicate changes in its history, the upcoming weeks are anticipated to be pivotal.