Who Will Succeed Ali Khamenei If Israel Kills Him: The Top 4 Successors

The Supreme Leader of Iran, who has been in power since 1989, stated that Tehran would show no mercy if Israel follows through on its threats. However, should these threats become reality, the question arises: who will succeed him? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an open assassination threat against the 86-year-old Ali Khamenei, suggesting his death could also mean the end of certain policies. A similar warning was issued by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, comparing Khamenei to Saddam Hussein and implying he might meet the same fate. Shortly after leaving the G7 Summit, U.S. President Donald Trump added his own threats, stating that the U.S. knows Khamenei’s exact location and could neutralize him but chooses not to… for now. In response, Khamenei warned via a televised message that retaliation would follow any attack. Through this declaration, Khamenei sent three clear messages to the U.S. and Israel while expressing solidarity with Iranian citizens suffering from Israeli airstrikes. Despite ongoing indirect negotiations with the U.S. regarding Iran’s nuclear program, Khamenei emphasized that Iran had not intended military action against Israel, placing blame on Israel for initiating hostilities. He further declared that any American military intervention would result in irreversible damage, highlighting U.S. involvement as a sign of Israeli weakness. Over the past week, Israel has targeted several top commanders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, including Hossein Salami, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, and Mohsen Kazemeini—all key advisors within Khamenei’s inner circle. At 86 years old, Khamenei holds absolute authority across all sectors—government, military, judiciary—but despite elected officials managing daily affairs, no significant political decision, especially concerning the U.S., proceeds without his approval. Specialists outside Iran describe him as a figure whose fear was reinforced by a failed assassination attempt in 1981 that left his right hand paralyzed. The threat to Khamenei’s life raises critical questions about Iran’s future. Who could succeed Khamenei at the helm of Islamic power? The leading contenders include Mojtaba Khamenei, Khamenei’s second son and perhaps the most likely successor; Ali Reza Arafi, one of Khamenei’s closest confidants holding high-ranking positions; Ali Asghar Khadeghi, responsible for Khamenei’s political security; and Mohammad Golpaygani, head of Khamenei’s office for decades. According to Iran’s constitution, the Assembly of Experts, comprising 88 senior clerics elected every eight years, is responsible for selecting a new Supreme Leader or a collective leadership council. Khamenei’s potential assassination would not merely signify a change in leadership but possibly a complete restructuring of Iran’s theocratic framework. For Israel and the West, this may seem like an opportunity. However, for Tehran’s regime, it represents an existential threat. So far, Khamenei appears resolute not to back down.