The Assembly of Experts reached a consensus Sunday following days of intense pressure from military commanders and ongoing regional strikes.
TEHRAN, IRAN — Iran’s Assembly of Experts has reached a final decision on the successor to late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, senior officials confirmed Sunday, ending a week of secretive deliberations and intense internal power struggles during an active conflict with Israel and the United States.
The 88-member clerical body concluded its vote after days of emergency sessions, according to state-aligned media reports and public statements from assembly members. While the official announcement of the name is pending, the decision marks a pivotal shift for the Islamic Republic as it navigates the first leadership transition in nearly four decades. The move comes as the country remains under fire from U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that killed the previous leader on Feb. 28, 2026, leaving the ruling establishment in its most vulnerable state since the 1979 revolution.
The selection process moved into its final stage Sunday morning when Ayatollah Mohsen Heidari Alekasir, a member of the assembly, stated in a video release that a candidate had been chosen based on the late leader’s specific advice. “The most suitable candidate, approved by the majority of the Assembly of Experts, has been determined,” Heidari Alekasir said. He noted that the choice was someone “hated by the enemy,” a reference to recent criticisms from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the frontrunner. Internal reports from Tehran indicate that Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of the late leader, emerged as the primary choice after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly pressured clerics to ensure a swift transition.
The week leading to the decision was marked by logistical hurdles and internal dissent. An initial emergency meeting scheduled in the city of Qom on Tuesday was cut short after Israeli airstrikes targeted the assembly’s building, forcing subsequent sessions to be held via secure online links. Sources within the clerical establishment reported that at least eight members initially protested the proceedings, expressing concerns that elevating the younger Khamenei would turn the Islamic Republic into a “hereditary monarchy.” Despite these objections, the Revolutionary Guard commanders reportedly held in-person meetings with wavering members to consolidate support for Mojtaba, citing the need for military continuity during wartime.
Mojtaba Khamenei has long been a powerful figure behind the scenes, though he has never held a formal government office or the high religious rank of grand ayatollah. He gained influence as a gatekeeper in his father’s office and maintained deep ties with the security apparatus, particularly with newly appointed Revolutionary Guard commander Ahmad Vahidi. Critics of his appointment point to his status as a “Hojjat al-Islam,” a mid-tier clerical rank, arguing it lacks the jurisprudential weight required by the constitution. However, analysts suggest the assembly prioritized security credentials over religious seniority given the ongoing threats to the regime’s survival.
The transition follows the sudden death of Ali Khamenei, who was killed alongside more than 1,000 others in a series of coordinated strikes on Feb. 28. In the immediate aftermath, an interim leadership council took control, consisting of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi. This council has been tasked with managing the war effort while the Assembly of Experts finalized the permanent successor. The selection of a hardline figure is expected to signal Tehran’s intent to continue its retaliatory strikes against Israeli and U.S. assets in the region rather than seeking a diplomatic de-escalation.
International reaction to the looming announcement has been sharp. The Israeli military issued a warning on Sunday stating it would continue to pursue any successor who takes the helm of the Iranian government. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have described the potential appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as “unacceptable,” further straining the prospects for a ceasefire. In Tehran, the atmosphere remains tense as residents wait for the formal public proclamation, which is expected to be delivered by Ayatollah Hashem Hosseini Bushehri, the official responsible for communicating the assembly’s decrees. Security around the capital has been tightened in anticipation of both the announcement and potential further airstrikes.
The formal naming of the next Supreme Leader is expected to occur within the next 24 hours, once final security protocols are met. Until the proclamation is read, the interim council remains the highest executive authority in the country. The transition marks the end of an era for a nation that has known only two leaders in its 47-year history.
Author note: Last updated March 8, 2026.