Iran is in crisis these days. Supreme Leader Khamenei has been killed in an Israeli-American attack. There is 40 days of national mourning. Still, Iranian security forces are alert. They are not lagging behind in taking retaliatory action or even attacking. The Iranian army has taken enmity to a new level by attacking almost all the Gulf countries. Iran has warned Israel and America of revenge after the assassination of its Supreme Leader.
Meanwhile, many questions have arisen. For example, in the absence of the Supreme Leader, who takes the major policy decisions of the country? Who will become the next Supreme Leader? Who are the biggest contenders for this highest post? Come, let us know all these questions in detail.
The country is being run by a three-member council.
Supreme Leader is the highest post in Iran. He is considered the final arbiter of the country and the system. But even if the Supreme Leader dies or the post becomes vacant, the country does not remain without a leader. Its method is clearly recorded in the Constitution of Iran. This is called Article 111. According to this, a temporary three-member council handles the responsibilities of the Supreme Leader.
Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is no more.
This council works until a new Supreme Leader is elected. In this council, the President, Chief Justice and M Maulvi, member of the Guardian Council, will together run the country. At present this system has been implemented. Decisions are taken through this temporary council instead of one person.
Who is in the race to become supreme leader?
Now the biggest question before the world and Iran is who will be the next supreme leader? Who are the contenders for this post? Some names are being discussed, although the final decision will be taken by the experts of the assembly.
- Mojtaba Khamenei: He is said to be the second son of late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Have influence in powerful circles. Especially his influence in the administration and IRGC (Army) is often discussed. But the biggest issue against him is that of hereditary succession.
Mojtaba Khamenei.
Many people do not like the transfer of power from father to son. Shah’s monarchy was removed in the revolution of 1979. In such a situation, the father-son model can become a subject of criticism.
- Ayatollah Alireza Arafi: This name is very influential in religious system. His age is stated to be 67 years. He is also the deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts. He has also been a member of the Guardian Council. He has also been made a member of the Temporary Leadership Council along with the President and the Chief Justice.
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi.
He has been described as the Friday prayer leader of Qum. He is also said to be the head of Iran’s seminary system. According to media reports, he is not considered a politically acceptable leader. This thing goes against them.
- Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri: He is said to be an ultra-hardline cleric. He is said to be a member of the Assembly of Experts. His viewpoint has been described as anti-Western. He is said to be the head of the Islamic Sciences Academy of Qum.
Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri.
- Gholam-Hussein Mohsani-AJE: He is the head of the judiciary of Iran. According to the report, Khamenei gave him this post in 2021. He has also previously been the Intelligence Minister. He has also been Prosecutor-General and Deputy Chief Justice. He has been described as radical and close to the conservative camp. Since he is also a part of the temporary council, his name looks stronger.
Gholam-Hussein Mohsani-AJE.
- Hassan Khomeini: He is the grandson of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of present-day Iran. His age as per the report is 54 years. He is said to be the guardian of his grandfather’s tomb. According to media reports, he is considered to have reformist and relatively liberal views. He wanted to contest the Assembly of Experts elections in 2016, but he was disqualified. Therefore their path is not considered easy at all.
Hassan Khomeini.
In this way one thing is clear. After the assassination of the Supreme Leader, a temporary system took over its functioning as per the Constitution. Till the next arrangements are made, this council will take command of the country. The discussion of the main contenders for the Supreme Leader does not at all mean that any one of them should be chosen as the Supreme Leader. It is possible that a new name may emerge. Anyway, this decision will ultimately depend on institutional voting and balance of power.
In such a situation, one thing is certain that there will be contenders to win, everyone will try in their own way. Whose fate will be revealed will be known only in the future. In Iran, this is such a post, once held, a person will remain in it for life.
How is the new Supreme Leader chosen?
In Iran, the Supreme Leader is elected by the Assembly of Experts. This is a religious organization with 88 members. Its members are elected by the public and the election process is conducted every eight years. There is a big investigation before the elections. The Guardian Council approves the candidates for the Assembly of Experts.
This council decides who can contest elections and who cannot. It is recorded in the Constitution that when the post of Supreme Leader becomes vacant, the Assembly of Experts meets. Then a new Supreme Leader is elected by voting. The same process will be adopted in the current situation also. According to media reports, the supreme leader is elected by simple majority. According to the Constitution, it is necessary for a candidate to have certain qualities. He should be a great scholar in the law and religious knowledge of Shia Islam. There should be political understanding in it. He should also have courage and administrative ability.
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