IRAN LOSES ITS SUPREME LEADER, KHAMENEI

IRAN LOSES ITS SUPREME LEADER, KHAMENEI

2-MARCH-ENG 4

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

DELHI--------------------------Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed in a US-Israeli attack. US President Donald Trump announced this on his Truth social platform. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and officials had previously claimed Khamenei's death. Iranian state media confirmed Khamenei's death on Sunday morning. Iranian state TV stated that Supreme Leader Khamenei had been martyred.

Iran's clerical system has ruled the country for more than four decades. Following Khamenei's death, the question remains as to who will succeed him in the Islamic regime and how long this system will last. According to Iran's constitution, under the principle of Wilayat-e-Faqih, the country's Supreme Leader must be a cleric.

In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Supreme Leader's decision is final, unchallenged. This system continued to govern the country under Khamenei and his predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. However, Khamenei's alleged death has shaken the system.

Who will replace Khamenei? Khamenei has been governed by his close advisors, known as the Guardian Council. However, after Saturday's attacks, it is unclear how many of them remain. Khamenei, 86, has never publicly announced his successor. It is currently unclear who will replace him if his death is confirmed. Previously, Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, had been a strong candidate among potential candidates.

Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the Islamic Republic's founder, Rubollah Khomeini, and other clerics are also mentioned as contenders. Reuters has claimed that anyone claiming to succeed Khamenei would face a struggle for control over the Revolutionary Guards and the Guardian Council of senior clerics.

Assembly of Experts: Reuters, citing two sources, reported that before the attacks, the US CIA speculated that hardliners within the IRGC could replace Khamenei after his death. Iranian clerics control powerful institutions. At the center of this process is the Assembly of Experts, which is tasked with appointing the Supreme Leader. It consists of 88 clerics. The Assembly's candidates are approved by the Guardian Council, whose members are directly or indirectly chosen by the Supreme Leader.

Any succession decision will be made by the Islamic Republic's most senior power brokers, followed by the Assembly's approval. However, the Guardian Council can veto this process. Half of the council's members are appointed by the Supreme Leader and the other half by the head of the judiciary. The council can disqualify candidates.

The following names are in the running:

Hojjat-ul-Islam Mohsen Qomi – A close advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Alireza Arafi – A senior cleric. A member of both the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts. He leads Iran's seminary system.

Mohsen Araki – A senior member of the Assembly of Experts. His name is being discussed for succession.

Gholam Hossein Mohseni Eje'i – Head of Iran's judiciary. He could be important in difficult times.