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DUBAI, March 8 — Iran’s powerful clerical establishment is reportedly close to finalising a successor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with strong indications that his son Mojtaba Khamenei could be chosen for the position — a move that could intensify geopolitical tensions with the United States.
Sources familiar with the process said Iran’s Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for selecting the country’s supreme leader, has already reached broad consensus on the next leader but has yet to publicly announce the final decision due to the ongoing conflict and security concerns.
The speculation surrounding Mojtaba Khamenei’s potential appointment has drawn global attention because former US president Donald Trump previously criticised the cleric and described him as “unacceptable” as Iran’s next leader.
Trump had earlier said he wanted a leader in Iran who could bring stability and peace, warning that the United States would strongly oppose figures aligned with the country’s hardline political establishment.
Iran’s Leadership Transition
The position of Supreme Leader is the most powerful office in Iran’s political system. The leader controls the country’s armed forces, oversees key state institutions and has the final say over strategic policies, including nuclear and foreign affairs.
The Assembly of Experts — a group of senior Shiite clerics — is responsible for selecting the supreme leader and has been deliberating privately amid escalating regional tensions and security threats.
Officials involved in the process indicated that the assembly has already gathered votes for the next leader but has delayed a public announcement due to wartime conditions and security concerns surrounding the leadership transition.
Mojtaba Khamenei Emerges as Leading Candidate
Among the names circulating as potential successors, Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of Ali Khamenei, has emerged as a leading contender.
Although he has never held a formal government position, Mojtaba is believed to wield significant influence within Iran’s political and security establishment, particularly through his connections with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the country’s conservative clerical network.
Analysts say his rise would signal continuity of the Islamic Republic’s hardline leadership and reinforce the existing political structure dominated by conservative factions.
However, critics both inside and outside Iran have warned that the appointment of a supreme leader from the same family could spark debate over dynastic succession in a system originally designed to avoid hereditary rule.
Rising Tensions with the United States
The potential appointment has also become a geopolitical flashpoint due to comments previously made by Donald Trump.
Trump had insisted he wanted a say in the leadership transition and criticised Mojtaba Khamenei, saying the cleric would not be acceptable as Iran’s next leader.
Observers say Tehran may interpret such criticism as interference in its internal affairs, potentially strengthening hardline voices within the Iranian establishment who oppose negotiations with Washington.
Middle East Conflict Adds Pressure
The leadership transition is unfolding at a time of escalating tensions across the Middle East, with the region experiencing rising military confrontation and political instability.
Analysts warn that the choice of Iran’s next supreme leader could significantly shape the country’s response to ongoing regional conflicts and its relationship with Western powers.
A more hardline leader could adopt a confrontational approach toward the United States and its allies, while a more moderate figure might seek diplomatic engagement to reduce tensions.
Global Attention on Iran’s Next Leader
As Iran prepares for one of the most significant leadership transitions in decades, governments and analysts around the world are closely watching the outcome.
The decision could have far-reaching consequences for global geopolitics, particularly regarding nuclear negotiations, regional conflicts, and Iran’s relations with Western nations.
For now, the world is waiting for the Assembly of Experts to formally announce who will succeed Ali Khamenei — a decision that could reshape the political landscape of the Middle East for years to come
