Iranian leadership braces for transition amid Israel conflict: avoiding power vacuum

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is proactively preparing for a leadership transition amid escalating conflict with Israel, naming three potential successors to avoid a power vacuum.

Under Iran's constitution, the death of the supreme leader initiates a selection process led by the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body responsible for choosing the next leader.

"Khamenei has named three potential successors to ensure a smooth transition after his death," The New York Times reported, highlighting the leadership's focus on stability during turbulent times.

Notably, Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is excluded from the list of candidates, despite being a cleric closely aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and long rumored as a front-runner.

This move signals a strategic effort by Iran's leadership to project strength amid the ongoing conflict with Israel while quietly preparing for a future that could reshape the country's political landscape.

"As the conflict between Iran and Israel escalates, Iran’s leadership appears determined to project strength while quietly preparing for an eventual leadership transition," the report added.

The careful selection of successors and the constitutional process underscore the regime's intent to maintain continuity and avoid instability during a critical period of regional tension.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has named three potential successors to ensure a smooth transition after his death, aiming to preserve stability amid rising tensions with Israel. The Assembly of Experts will lead the selection process, while Khamenei’s son is notably excluded from the list of candidates.