After the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, changes are imminent within the Iranian regime following the reported death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several top military commanders. The succession for leadership after Khamenei’s 36-year rule is uncertain given the intricate structure of Iran’s governing bodies where power emanates from the supreme leader. The supreme leader, responsible for setting national policies, appointing military heads, and overseeing the president, is elected by the Assembly of Experts, a group of 88 jurists theoretically tasked with supervising the supreme leader.
In the aftermath of Khamenei’s demise, a temporary leadership council comprising President Masoud Pezeshkian, Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Guardian Council member Ayatollah Alireza Arafi is currently steering the country. U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted that a successor from within the Iranian regime may be the most suitable choice once the U.S.-Israeli operations conclude. The coordinated strikes took place shortly after discussions between the U.S. and Iran aimed at limiting Tehran’s nuclear activities.
The reshuffling within the Iranian hierarchy has eliminated key figures, prompting speculation about who will navigate the power vacuum in the regime’s structure.