Iran scrambles to pick Khamenei’s successor as Israeli strikes shake the regime

Iran has significantly intensified efforts to identify a successor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in recent days, following Israel's strikes on Iranian territory, according to a Reuters report. The urgency reflects growing concerns in Tehran over maintaining regime stability should the 86-year-old leader die unexpectedly.

Multiple sources cited in the report say that the Islamic Republic is determined to install a replacement immediately upon Khamenei’s death, in order to prevent internal unrest and project continuity in the face of mounting domestic and international pressure.

While any successor will be expected to uphold the core principles of the Islamic Revolution, insiders suggest that a figure with a more "moderate" public image may be favored, one who could help defuse criticism both from within Iran and abroad.

Two names have emerged as leading candidates: Khamenei’s 56-year-old son, Mojtaba Khamenei, a powerful behind-the-scenes cleric with hardline credentials; and Hassan Khomeini, 53, the reform-minded grandson of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. However, a report published Saturday in The New York Times casts doubt on Mojtaba Khamenei’s chances, citing internal opposition to what would be seen as dynastic succession.

Hassan Khomeini, the reform-leaning grandson of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, has emerged as a serious contender to succeed Iran’s Supreme Leader, as tensions with Israel and the United States intensify, according to five sources familiar with internal deliberations.

Though aligned with Iran’s reformist camp, which supports loosening political and social restrictions, Khomeini is nonetheless respected by senior clerics and segments of the Revolutionary Guards, owing largely to his powerful lineage, the sources said.

On Saturday, just hours before U.S. forces bombed Iranian nuclear sites, the 53-year-old issued a public declaration of loyalty to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. “I once again humbly express that this small and insignificant servant of the Iranian people stands ready to proudly be present on any front or scene you deem necessary,” Khomeini said.

His statement and growing visibility have elevated his profile during a critical period, as leadership circles weigh whether a more conciliatory figure might better serve Iran’s needs both at home and abroad.

In contrast, Mojtaba Khamenei, Khamenei’s 56-year-old son and another leading candidate, remains closely aligned with the regime’s hardline policies. Sources emphasize, however, that no decision has been finalized, and the Supreme Leader himself will ultimately determine the path forward.

Still, the ongoing military conflict raises serious doubts about how easily a transition could occur. With several top commanders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reportedly killed in recent Israeli airstrikes, the process of installing a new leader could be fraught with instability. The Guards have long been instrumental in maintaining the Supreme Leader’s authority, and any disruption within their ranks could complicate a peaceful handover.