Iran Enters Period of Uncertainty Following Death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iran is navigating a period of unprecedented transition following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader, after nearly 37 years in power. The passing of Khamenei, who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, marks a pivotal moment for the Islamic Republic, established in April 1979.
Khamenei held the final say in all matters of state, and his death necessitates a complex succession process outlined in Iranian law. A three-person temporary leadership council has been formed to govern the country, comprised of reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, hard-line head of the judiciary Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and jurist Alireza Arafi, a member of Iran’s Guardian Council and head of the Basij paramilitary force.
Ali Larijani, Iran’s head of security, announced the council’s formation on Sunday, stating that preparations had been made for this eventuality. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, expressed confidence in the stability of the nation, predicting that the leadership council would bolster the power and integrity of Iranian institutions.
The ultimate selection of a new supreme leader rests with the 88-member Assembly of Experts, a body of Shiite clerics elected every eight years, subject to vetting by the Guardian Council. This council has a history of disqualifying candidates, as demonstrated by the barring of former President Hassan Rouhani from election to the Assembly in March 2024.
Under Iran’s system of vilayat-e faqih – guardianship of the Islamic jurist – the new leader must be a cleric. While Khamenei never publicly designated a successor, his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, a 56-year-old cleric, has been speculated as a potential candidate, despite never holding government office. Former President Ebrahim Raisi was also considered a possible contender, but died in a helicopter crash in May 2024.
The death of Khamenei has drawn international attention, including calls for change from the United States. Former President Donald Trump urged Iranians to seize the opportunity to overthrow the Islamic Republic, alleging widespread discontent within the security forces.
Reza Pahlavi, son of the shah deposed in the 1979 revolution, echoed this sentiment, stating that the Islamic Republic has “reached its end” and will soon be relegated to history. He called on Iran’s military and security forces to join the nation in seeking change.
