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The shadow of war hangs over Tehran as Iran's Supreme Leader selection moves closer to public announcement following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed Feb. 28 during joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian territory.

A senior Iranian cleric revealed Sunday that officials have already chosen a successor, though the name has not yet been formally disclosed. The decision comes at a moment of escalating regional turmoil, with Israeli attacks expanding to Iran’s energy infrastructure overnight and a strike hitting a hotel in central Beirut as the conflict with Hezbollah spreads into Lebanon’s capital.

Behind closed doors, Iran’s Assembly of Experts, the powerful body responsible for appointing the supreme leader, is believed to have reached consensus on the next figure to lead the Islamic Republic.

Mojtaba Khamenei Emerges as Leading Candidate

Assembly of Experts Faces Voting Dispute

Supporters of Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s son, say the council has already settled on him as Iran’s next supreme leader.

However, the formal declaration has been delayed due to disagreements about the procedures required for the vote.

Some members argue that the assembly does not need to gather in person to finalize the decision. If that interpretation prevails, the council’s secretariat could simply announce that a consensus has been reached — effectively placing Mojtaba Khamenei at the helm of the Islamic Republic.

“The name of Khamenei will continue,” said Hosseinali Eshkevari, a member of the council tasked with electing the new leader. “The vote has been cast and will be announced soon.”

Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, however, hinted that the announcement may not come immediately.

He said any public declaration should occur “at an appropriate time that doesn’t harm the public focus on the sacred defence,” suggesting leaders may delay the news while the country remains at war.

U.S. and Israel Signal Opposition

The potential rise of Mojtaba Khamenei is already stirring geopolitical tensions.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly criticized the possibility, calling Mojtaba “unacceptable” and signaling that Washington intends to play a decisive role in shaping the outcome.

Meanwhile, Israel has issued stark warnings, threatening to target not only the next supreme leader but also those responsible for selecting him.

Despite those external pressures, Iran’s political establishment appears divided over whether Mojtaba Khamenei — viewed by some as relatively inexperienced — should assume leadership during a time of national crisis.

Some officials argue that wartime leadership should remain concentrated among military and security figures.

They point to Ali Larijani, the seasoned secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, as a stabilizing force capable of guiding defense operations during the conflict.

Still, Mojtaba Khamenei brings deep familiarity with the inner workings of power. Having served as deputy chief of staff to his father, he has long operated within the supreme leader’s inner circle and is now being presented by allies as a younger continuation of his father’s legacy.