US,Israel Attack Iran: Who Will Lead Iran After Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Death? Top 6 Contenders Emerge

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in his office on Saturday during US-Israeli airstrikes. United States President Donald Trump announced the development late Saturday, describing Khamenei as "one of the most evil people in history" and urging Iranians to "take back their country". The death of the 86-year-old hardliner, who had ruled Iran since 1989, has created a significant power vacuum in the Islamic country and sparked intense speculation over who will succeed him.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is emerging as a prime contender for the role. However, Ayatollah Khamenei told followers that he did not want the post of supreme leader to be hereditary, reported New York Times, adding that the slain leader preferred three persons for the role of Iran's supreme leader, ie Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i; Ayatollah Khamenei's chief of staff, Ali Asghar Hejazi; and Hassan Khomeini.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Successor: Who Is Mojtaba Khamenei?

Mojtaba Khamenei is the slain supreme leader's second-eldest son he has also served as the mid-ranking cleric. He has close ties with Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Mojtaba had also served in the armed forces during the Iran-Iraq war. However, as per NYT report, he is unlikely to become the next Iran's supreme leader.

Who is Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i?

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i enjoys one of the most influential position in Iran's judicial system. Khamenei had appointed him as the Chief Justice in 2021. However, certain media reports suggest that Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i was also killed in the US-Israel attacks, however an official confirmation is awaited.

The cleric-jurist was born in 1956 and rose through the ranks of Iran's judicial system after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Recently, his death sentence to scores protestors in Iran sparked global criticism and controversy.

Who is Ali Asghar Hejazi?

Seyyed Ali Asghar Hijazi is an Iranian cleric and politician. He is serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff to Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran. He had also held influential positions like Deputy for Foreign Affairs in the Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Who is Hassan Khomeini?

One of the most influential clerics in Iran, Hassan Khomeini is known to be the most "prominent" grandchild of Ruhuollah Khomeini, who had 15 grandchildren. Several reports suggested Hassan would be a presidential candidate in the 2021 election, but he later declined the nomination.

Maryam Rajavi, Reza Pahlavi

Ayatollah Ali Khamene's death is also followed by some opposition leaders pitching in for transforming Iran into a democracy. Maryam Rajavi and exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi urged Iranians to unite. Rajavi, who is the president-elect of the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran has called to overthrow Iran's ruling clerical regime and creation of democratic republic.