Five Potential Successors to Lead Iran After Khamenei

March 1, 2026

Following the confirmed death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led Iran as Supreme Leader for nearly four decades, the Islamic Republic is beginning its constitutional process to select a new leader. The Assembly of Experts, a council of senior Shiite clerics, is responsible for choosing the next supreme leader, as per Iran’s post-revolution constitution.

Succession Process Explained

Iran’s supreme leader is both the highest religious authority and the ultimate political authority in the country. When the position becomes vacant, the Assembly of Experts an 88-member body of senior clerics meets to choose a successor. Candidates must be vetted and approved by the powerful Guardian Council, which influences who can be considered for the role.

Five Key Potential Successors

Here are five prominent figures often mentioned as possible successors to Iran’s supreme leader:

1. Ayatollah Alireza Arafi
A senior cleric with extensive experience in both the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts, Arafi also leads Iran’s seminary system. His broad religious credentials and establishment ties make him a plausible contender.

2. Hojjat-ol-Eslam Mohsen Qomi
As a trusted adviser and close insider within the Supreme Leader’s circle, Qomi’s strong networks and institutional knowledge position him as a potential continuity candidate.

3. Ayatollah Mohsen Araki
A long-time member of the Assembly of Experts, Araki’s theological influence and experience in clerical institutions bolster his prospects among conservative factions.

4. Ayatollah Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei
The current head of Iran’s judiciary and a veteran jurist with ties to security and political elites, Ejei’s credentials appeal to hard-line elements within the regime.

5. Ayatollah Hashem Hosseini Bushehri
Bushehri serves as a Qom prayer leader and sits on the Assembly of Experts. His respected religious standing gives him credibility, though he may lack the same political clout as others.

Other Names and Broader Dynamics

Beyond these five, analysts have also noted figures such as Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri, a hard-line cleric within the Assembly of Experts, as a possible contender. Historically, Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s son, was also discussed as a potential successor, though his path to leadership has been controversial and reportedly opposed by Ali Khamenei himself.

The Assembly of Experts plays the central role in making the final decision, and internal dynamics, ideological alignment and institutional backing especially from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will influence who ultimately prevails.