With Khamenei dead, who will be Iran’s next supreme leader?

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Associated PressMarch 1, 2026 at 04:29 AM

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Upon the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 88-member Assembly of Experts, a council of Shiite clerics, is responsible for selecting his replacement. This panel, elected every eight years and vetted by the Guardian Council, has the power to appoint and theoretically remove the Supreme Leader. Iranian law mandates a swift selection process; however, a temporary leadership council can assume duties in the interim. This council would consist of Iran's president, the head of the judiciary, and a member of the Guardian Council. The succession process is complex due to the structure of Iran's theocracy and the vetting process for the Assembly of Experts.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

2015 nuclear deal 50% Expediency Council 60% Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei 60% Masoud Pezeshkian 60% Hassan Rowhani 70% Guardian Council ×380% Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 90% Assembly of Experts ×590% Iran ×7100%

Keywords

supreme leader 100% iran 90% succession 80% assembly of experts 80% theocracy 70% guardian council 60% clerical council 60% iranian politics 50% leadership council 50% khamenei 40%

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South China Morning Post

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supreme leader iran succession assembly of experts theocracy guardian council clerical council iranian politics leadership council khamenei

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