Tehran: The news of the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after nearly four decades of leadership in Iran has caused political turmoil across the country. Under the leadership of Khamenei, who was Iran’s Supreme Leader for 37 years, Iran has seen several important periods both internally and externally. According to recent reports, this news, which came after the joint attack by Israel and the United States, has entered a new phase not only for Iran but also for the entire Middle East.
Under the Iranian constitution, an interim leadership council is immediately established in the event of the death of the supreme leader. According to official sources, the council includes President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ajeh and an elected member of the Guardian Council. The interim council temporarily takes over state affairs to ensure continuity in the government system.
The responsibility for choosing a permanent supreme leader falls on the 88-member Assembly of Experts. The assembly is made up of elected Shiite clerics, who are elected by popular vote every eight years. According to the constitution, the Assembly of Experts must choose a new leader as soon as possible so that the leadership vacuum does not persist for long.
Political analysts say that the succession process is usually decided behind closed doors, so speculation about potential candidates is rife. In the past, former President Ebrahim Raisi was considered a strong candidate, but the scenario changed after he was killed in a helicopter crash in 2024. Now, in some circles, the name of Mojtaba Khamenei is being discussed, even though he has never held any official position.
This situation is very sensitive for Iran, as the country is already facing regional tensions and economic pressure. According to observers, the coming days could have a profound impact on Iran’s domestic politics and the overall situation in the region.
