If Ayatollah Khamenei Is Removed, These 5 Could Be Iran’s Next Supreme Leader

If Ayatollah Khamenei Is Removed: Who Will Succeed Iran’s Supreme Leader?

Tensions in the Middle East are escalating rapidly, and at the center of this storm is Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. With mounting threats from Israel and statements from global powers like the United States, questions about Iran’s political future have taken center stage. If Ayatollah Khamenei Is Removed, who will lead the Islamic Republic of Iran? This pressing question carries immense geopolitical weight as Iran plays a central role in the region’s balance of power.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently intensified hostilities with an overt warning directed at Ayatollah Khamenei. In an interview, Netanyahu suggested that removing the Supreme Leader could resolve years of enmity between Iran and Israel. This sentiment was echoed by Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz, who likened Khamenei’s potential downfall to that of Saddam Hussein. The United States, too, entered the fray. After the G7 Summit, former President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. knows Khamenei’s exact location and could eliminate him, though they are choosing not to “for now.”

In response to these provocative declarations, Ayatollah Khamenei firmly stated, “We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy.” These words signal unwavering resistance, but they also prompt an uncomfortable question: If Ayatollah Khamenei Is Removed, who stands next in line?

1. Mojtaba Khamenei – The Blood Heir

The name that tops the list is Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Born in 1969, Mojtaba has long been speculated as a possible successor. While Iranian leadership has traditionally opposed hereditary rule, Mojtaba’s growing influence within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and clerical circles cannot be ignored.

Mojtaba is a mid-ranking cleric and exerts significant control behind the scenes. He has cultivated relationships with senior military and religious figures, building a support base that could propel him to power if Ayatollah Khamenei is removed. His ascent, however, could face public resistance due to the apparent dynastic nature of the succession.

2. Alireza Arafi – The Scholar Strategist

Another top contender is Alireza Arafi, a prominent cleric and trusted aide of Khamenei. Arafi serves as deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts, a member of the Guardian Council, and is the Friday prayer leader in Qom—making him a powerful voice in both religious and political spheres.

Arafi is well-versed in Iran’s complex power dynamics and is considered a scholar with vast institutional experience. If Ayatollah Khamenei is removed, Arafi’s reputation for balance and deep religious knowledge could earn him strong support among senior clerics and the Assembly of Experts.

3. Ali Asghar Hejazi – The Intelligence Czar

In Iran’s opaque political hierarchy, few wield as much behind-the-scenes influence as Ali Asghar Hejazi. He oversees political security affairs in the Supreme Leader’s office and has been instrumental in shaping Iran’s domestic and foreign security policies.

Known for his close ties to Iran’s intelligence apparatus and the IRGC, Hejazi could emerge as a compromise candidate if Ayatollah Khamenei is removed, especially in scenarios where hardliners seek continuity and control. While not a cleric, his strategic value and loyalty to Khamenei may tip the scales in his favor.

4. Mohammad Golpayegani – The Administrative Veteran

Mohammad Golpayegani, the long-serving chief of staff to Ayatollah Khamenei, is another significant figure in the power transition landscape. With extensive knowledge of Iran’s bureaucratic and religious institutions, Golpayegani has earned Khamenei’s unwavering trust.

Although his advanced age and low public profile may work against him, Golpayegani could serve as a transitional figure or part of a leadership council if Ayatollah Khamenei is removed. His administrative continuity would provide a sense of stability amid potential chaos.

5. Assembly of Experts – The Constitutional Decider

Ultimately, the authority to choose the next Supreme Leader rests with Iran’s Assembly of Experts—an 88-member body of senior clerics elected every eight years. The Assembly’s role becomes crucial if Ayatollah Khamenei is removed, as it can select a new Supreme Leader or even appoint a leadership council.

Deliberations are held in secrecy, and the process could take days or even weeks. The Assembly may lean towards candidates who align with Khamenei’s ideological legacy or those capable of balancing various factions within Iran’s elite power circles.

The Stakes: Regional and Global Implications

If Ayatollah Khamenei is removed, the transition of power will not be a mere administrative event. It will reverberate across the Middle East and beyond. Iran’s foreign policy—particularly regarding nuclear development, support for proxy groups, and relations with the West—could undergo significant changes.

For Israel, a leadership change might present a chance to recalibrate its defense posture, though new leadership could also harden Iran’s stance. For the U.S., a successor aligned with Khamenei’s hardline policies might signal continuity, while a moderate choice could open diplomatic doors.

Conclusion: Iran at a Crossroads

If Ayatollah Khamenei is removed, Iran stands at a critical crossroads. The identity of the next Supreme Leader will shape not only the nation’s future but also the geopolitical landscape of the entire region. Whether the successor emerges from within Khamenei’s inner circle or from broader religious institutions, the decision will be momentous.

The world is watching as Iran navigates through these turbulent times. With threats looming and leadership questions intensifying, the answer to who will lead Iran if Ayatollah Khamenei is removed may arrive sooner than expected.