Question on the new Supreme Leader of Iran, who will become the next Supreme Leader after the death of Khamenei?

After the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the question is now arising that who will be the next Supreme Leader of Iran? This question has become especially important after the death of Khamenei in joint air strikes by America and Israel. The attention of experts has now focused on Iran’s internal balance of power and the process of choosing a successor.

How is the Supreme Leader selected in Iran?
The Supreme Leader of Iran is elected by the 88-member Assembly of Experts. This council is composed of Shia religious leaders, who are elected through general elections every eight years. This council also has the power to remove the Supreme Leader, although this has never happened. The members of the Assembly of Experts are approved by the Guardian Council.

Role of Temporary Leadership Council
If the Assembly of Experts delays selecting a new Supreme Leader, the Temporary Leadership Council could assume responsibility. This council consists of the President, the head of the judiciary and a member of the Guardian Council. The council is likely to include reformist President Massoud Pezeshkian and hard-line judiciary chief Gholamhossein Moussaini.

Khamenei’s son Mojtaba’s possibility
If power is transferred to Khamenei’s son Mojtaba, it could lead to conflict between the religious regime and the general public in Iran. The 56-year-old Shia cleric is the son of Mojtaba Khamenei, but has never held any government post.

Other possible successors
Some other prominent contenders include Hojjat-ul-Islam Mohesan Qomi, Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, Ayatollah Mohesan Araki, Ayatollah Gholam Hussein Moseini AJAI and Ayatollah Hashim Husseini Bushehri. All of them have played important roles in Iran’s religious and administrative networks and have strong religious reputations.

American bombing will continue
US President Donald Trump announced on social media that US and Israeli attacks would continue after Khamenei’s death. He said that this is the biggest opportunity for the citizens of Iran to regain control of their country. Trump also claimed that Khamenei could not escape US intelligence and tracking systems.

This development has not only increased political instability in Iran but has also created an atmosphere of tension at the global level.