Iran may undergo a major leadership change this year amid rising tensions with Israel and the threat of a broader Middle East conflict. Speculation has emerged that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is in a coma and seriously ill. Reports suggest that officials secretly chose his successor in a meeting last month.
According to sources, Tehran selected Khamenei's successor in late September, with his son Mojtaba Khamenei poised to take over while the 85-year-old leader remains alive. Despite these reports, there has been no official confirmation of Khamenei's health. He was last seen on November 7, addressing the Assembly of Experts, and previously met with university students in Tehran on November 2.
On September 26, 60 members of the Iranian Assembly of Experts reportedly convened in secrecy at Khamenei's request. He demanded an immediate and confidential decision on his succession. The proposed candidate and the process faced resistance, with reports indicating that Khamenei and his representatives issued direct threats to enforce compliance. The need for secrecy was further heightened by concerns over potential public protests.
A New York Times report on October 27 supported these claims, asserting that Khamenei was suffering from a serious medical condition and reinforcing the speculation that his son, Mojtaba, would succeed him.
Khamenei served as Iran's President before becoming Supreme Leader in 1989, and he remains the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East. His son, Mojtaba, has gradually assumed a more significant role in Iranian decision-making, surpassing other key figures like the late President Ebrahim Raisi. Despite his lack of formal government experience, Mojtaba's appointment as successor now appears increasingly inevitable.
Reports based on sources indicate that Khamenei plans to abdicate and transfer power during his lifetime to ensure a smooth transition, aiming to avoid the anticipated opposition and protests that could arise following his death.
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