Right now, no one has been permanently chosen yet, but there are clear frontrunners and a defined process.
Here’s the latest confirmed situation (March 2026) 👇
✅ Current Situation in Iran
After the reported death of Ali Khamenei, Iran has NOT immediately appointed a new Supreme Leader.
Instead, Iran’s constitution activated a temporary ruling body called the Interim Leadership Council.
This council currently includes:
- Masoud Pezeshkian (President)
- Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei
- Alireza Arafi
They temporarily perform the Supreme Leader’s powers until a permanent successor is selected.
🏛️ Who Actually Chooses the Next Supreme Leader?
The decision will be made by Iran’s Assembly of Experts, an 88-member body of senior Shi’a clerics.
They will secretly vote to appoint the next Supreme Leader, likely sometime in 2026.
🔥 Most Likely Candidates (Experts’ View)
1️⃣ Mojtaba Khamenei — Most discussed
Why he’s strong:
- Son of the previous leader
- Deep ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
- Influential behind the scenes for years
Problem:
Iran officially rejects hereditary rule, so choosing him could trigger internal backlash.
2️⃣ Alireza Arafi — Currently very influential
Why he’s important:
- Already part of interim leadership
- Member of Guardian Council & Assembly of Experts
- Trusted by conservative religious establishment
Some reports even describe him as an interim supreme authority during transition.
3️⃣ Hassan Khomeini — Compromise candidate
Why possible:
- Grandson of Iran’s founder
- More moderate image
- Could calm public tensions
But: Reformist reputation may worry hardliners.
4️⃣ Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri
- Strong ideological hardliner
- Supported by conservative religious networks
🧠 Why the Choice Matters
The Supreme Leader controls:
- Military & IRGC
- Nuclear policy
- Foreign policy
- Judiciary
- State media
So the selection depends mainly on who can keep regime stability, especially during regional conflict.
⭐ Most Realistic Prediction (Current Analysis)
Experts generally see three possible outcomes:
- ✅ Hardliner continuity → Mojtaba Khamenei or Arafi
- ⚖️ Stability compromise → Hassan Khomeini
- 🏛️ Temporary collective leadership lasting longer if security situation worsens
👉 Right now, Alireza Arafi and Mojtaba Khamenei are viewed as the strongest possibilities, but no final decision has been made yet.