Overview
- Two Iranian officials say the announcement of a new supreme leader has been postponed for security reasons following statements from Israel and the United States that any successor could face attack.
- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said any leader chosen to replace Ali Khamenei would be an “unequivocal target” for elimination in a post on X.
- President Donald Trump called Mojtaba Khamenei an unacceptable choice, suggested U.S. involvement in the selection, and warned he could be eliminated, according to comments reported by Axios.
- Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, is widely reported as the leading candidate, maintains close ties to the Revolutionary Guard, and was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2019 for acting on behalf of his father.
- Members of the Assembly of Experts say they intend to decide soon despite wartime conditions, with other names under discussion including Alireza Arafi, Mohsen Araki, and Hasan Jomeini.