Against a backdrop of escalating tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a direct threat against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a recent interview, Netanyahu suggested that killing Khamenei would be enough to bring an end to the decades of animosity between Israel and Iran.
Supporting the Israeli PM’s belligerent tone, Defence Minister Israel Katz warned similarly that Khamenei could meet a similar fate to that of late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Trump Adds Fire to the Threats
On top of the ominous rhetoric, US President Donald Trump—shortly after departing from the G7 Summit—also delivered a coded threat. Trump stated that the US is aware of the “exact location” of Ayatollah Khamenei and could “take him out,” but quickly followed up by saying America is opting not to, yet.
These provocative comments have revived speculation as to who might replace Iran’s aging Supreme Leader if an unexpected power shift were to materialize.
Likely Successors to Khamenei
As the uncertain future draws near, a few names have come up to replace Ayatollah Khamenei:
1. Mojtaba Khamenei
Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the Supreme Leader, is considered the most likely candidate. He was born in 1969 and enjoys a great hold on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and clerical cadres. A mid-ranking cleric, Mojtaba has been heavily entrenched in Iran’s politics.
2. Alireza Arafi
Alireza Arafi is a close advisor and powerful cleric. As deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts and a Guardian Council member, Arafi is regarded as a solid institutional contender. His Friday speeches in Qom also boost his religious and political standing.
3. Ali Asghar Hejazi
Ali Asghar Hejazi oversees political security in Khamenei’s office. Known for handling intelligence operations, Hejazi plays a crucial role in shaping Iran’s strategic policies and remains a powerful figure within the regime.
4. Mohammad Golpayegani
A long-time chief of staff in the Supreme Leader’s office, Mohammad Golpayegani, is one of Khamenei’s most trusted advisors. His deep familiarity with Iran’s governance and policy machinery makes him a key contender.
5. Assembly of Experts
Iran’s constitution grants the 88-member Assembly of Experts a monopoly on naming the next Supreme Leader. The council, composed of elder clerics elected every eight years, might select a single leader or an array of leaders in closed-door deliberations.
Khamenei’s Defiant Response
In response to these threats, Ayatollah Khamenei made a fiery threat on Wednesday. “We should give a firm reply to the terrorist regime of Zionists. We will have no mercy on the Zionists,” he wrote in an X (formerly Twitter) post.
As geopolitical tensions escalate, the issue of Iran’s future leadership has become more urgent than ever.
