After Khamenei, who rules Iran?

The article examines Iran’s potential succession crisis following Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s eventual death, projected as early as 2026 due to his advanced age and health concerns. Key factions—hardline clerics, the Revolutionary Guards, and reformist factions—are maneuvering for influence, with no clear successor yet designated by the Assembly of Experts. Khamenei’s son Mojtaba is a controversial front-runner, but his lack of clerical seniority and opposition from rival elites could spark internal power struggles. The next Supreme Leader may face pressure to balance Iran’s domestic repression with economic crises, potentially reshaping its foreign policy and nuclear stance. Analysts warn a chaotic transition could destabilize the regime, risking protests or factional violence amid public dissatisfaction with corruption and sanctions.