Who Will Succeed Iran’s Supreme Leader?

Ayatollah Khamenei Turns 81

(New York, N.Y.) – April 19 marks the 81st birthday of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ruled Iran for four decades by unleashing turmoil and terror. Since his last birthday, the Islamic Republic has experienced the death of former Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani, the downing of a Ukrainian jetliner over Tehran, floods, earthquakes, economic turmoil, record-low turnout in parliamentary elections, and the coronavirus crisis.

While the government of President Hassan Rouhani dominates the headlines, it is Ayatollah Khamenei’s deep state—the judiciary, security services, and his office—which dominates decision-making in the Islamic Republic. With the supreme leader entering his second year as an octogenarian, issues of succession are likely to weigh heavily in the year ahead.

Regime survival remains Khamenei’s primary concern. There are indications the Assembly of Experts, which is constitutionally tasked with selecting the next supreme leader, has already started its work. Midterm elections for the Assembly of Experts just took place in February.

United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) maintains a comprehensive report on the process and personalities involved in anointing Iran’s next supreme leader. Eye on Iran’s Next Supreme Leader: The Ranking analyzes the Islamic Republic’s last succession in 1989, and includes dossiers on the current leading candidates. UANI also maintains a report on Ayatollah Khamenei’s ideology, which has been showcased to the world after his baseless and conspiratorial allegations that the coronavirus was a U.S. biological weapon.

To explore UANI’s resource, Eye on Iran’s Next Supreme Leader: The Ranking, please click here.

To explore UANI’s resource, Ayatollah Khamenei: Ideology and Policies, please click here.

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