Iran decides Khamenei's successor as Israeli military warns of pursuing next supreme leader

While speaking on Khamenei's successor, Ayatollah ⁠Mohsen Heidari, a member of the selection body, said “even the Great Satan (the US) has mentioned his name.”

Updated on: Mar 8, 2026, 22:38:25 IST

Written by Majid Alam

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The clerical body tasked with selecting the successor of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reached a decision, Tehran announced on Sunday. The name of the successor is yet to be revealed, yet all hints suggesting Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, the late leader's son.

FILE PHOTO: A woman gestures while holding an image of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on the day of an anti-Israeli and U.S. rally, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran. (via REUTERS)

Ayatollah ⁠Mohsen Heidari Alekasir, another member ⁠of the Assembly of Experts, said in a video released by Nournews on Sunday that a ⁠candidate had been picked based ⁠on Khamenei’s advice that the top leader should “be hated by the enemy”.

“The most suitable candidate, approved by the majority of the Assembly of Experts, has been determined,” Heydari, a member of the selection body tasked to appoint Khamenei's successor, said.

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“Even the ‌Great Satan (the US) has mentioned his name,” Heidari Alekasir said, apparently referring to Donald ‌Trump saying that Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, the late supreme leader’s son, was an “unacceptable” choice for the US.

Earlier this week, Iran International citing sources said Ali Khamenei's son Mojtaba was elected as the next Supreme Leader amid pressure from the Revolutionary Guards.

Mojtaba Khamenei had survived the ‌US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28, which killed his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, Reuters reported citing two Iranian sources.

Israel warns to pursue Khamenei's successor

Even before a decision on the successor was announced, the Israeli military warned it would continue pursuing every successor of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Also Read: Israel strikes Tehran oil depots; massive fire turns Iran's skyline orange | Videos

While referring to the clerical body charged with Khamenei's successor, the military warned it would target every person who seeks to appoint a successor for Khamenei.

Earlier in the day, Iran’s Mehr news agency, while quoting Assembly of Experts member Ayatollah Mohammad-Mahdi Mirbagheri, said “some obstacles” still remained to be resolved regarding the selection process.

A 88-member assembly of exports choose the country’s next supreme leader. In over the last five decades, Iran has had two Supreme Leader, Ruhollah Khomeini and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Khamenei, who ruled Iran for 37 years, was killed in a US-Israeli strike on Tehran on February 28, on the first day of the conflict between the two sides which has now widened into a bigger conflict in the region.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Majid Alam
Majid Alam is a Chief Content Producer working at Hindustan Times, based in New Delhi. He currently heads shifts at online desk and manages homepage apart from writing, editing and curating articles. With over six years of experience in journalism, Majid has navigated national, politics and international news. His work primarily focuses on the politics of the Hindi heartland, government policies, and South Asia. He also writes on US and Europe’s policies vis-à-vis India. Before joining Hindustan Times, Majid worked at ABP LIVE as the Chief Copy Editor and at News18, where he managed the World and Explainers sections. His articles have featured in Dialogue Earth, The Quint, BMJ, The Diplomat, and Outlook India. Majid has a keen interest in the use of data for storytelling. Majid holds a Masters in Convergent Journalism from Jamia Millia Islamia. He was awarded the Erasmus+ scholarship to study International Affairs at Sciences Po, Paris in 2020. He is also part of the OCEANS Network, an alumni network of Erasmus+ exchange scholars. He is currently serving as the National Representative (India) at the OCEANS Network. Apart from journalism, Majid has a flair for academic writing and loves to teach. He has published a book chapter: 'Bombay Cinema and Postmodernism' in the book: 'Handbook of Research on Social and Cultural Dynamics in Indian Cinema.' He was also part of the OCEANS Network delegation to Hanoi National University of Education in Vietnam in 2025. He has also given guest lecture in digital journalism at AJK MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia.Read More

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