A look at some of the contenders to be Iran’s supreme leader after the killing of Khamenei

Associated Press (AP)EN 4 min read 100% complete by By JULIA FRANKELMarch 2, 2026 at 03:53 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a U.S. and Israeli bombardment, Iran is facing a succession crisis as it chooses its second supreme leader since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Potential replacements include hard-liners favoring confrontation with the West and reformists seeking diplomacy. The supreme leader holds ultimate authority over key decisions, including matters of war, peace, and the nuclear program. Currently, a provisional governing council consisting of President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and cleric Ayatollah Ali Reza Arafi is managing the country during this critical period. The Foreign Minister is Abbas Aragh.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Abbas Aragh 40% United States 60% Hassan Rouhani 60% Israel 60% Masoud Pezeshkian 60% Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei 60% Ayatollah Ali Reza Arafi 60% Mojtaba Khamenei 70% Hassan Khomeini ×270% Tehran ×370% Ali Khamenei ×290% Iran ×6100%

Keywords

supreme leader 100% iran 100% ayatollah ali khamenei 90% succession 80% islamic revolution 70% reformists 60% hard-liners 60% nuclear program 50% governing council 50% political crisis 40%