[Iran Watch #13] The Supreme Leader's Throne – Who Will Rise When Khamenei Falls?
What happens after Khamenei? This in-depth report explores the rising contenders—from IRGC loyalists and Mojtaba Khamenei to exiled leaders like Reza Pahlavi and Maryam Rajavi. Iran's future may hinge on what comes next. 📌 Table of Contents Introduction – The Throne Without a Future Khamenei’s Health and Public Appearances – A Shrinking Figure The Three ‘Internal’ Successor Options Mojtaba Khamenei – The Shadow Prince External Contenders – From Exile to Power The IRGC's Power Leverage – Will the Military Decide? Public Sentiment – Legitimacy Crisis in a Young Iran FAQ – Iran's Next Leader Debate Conclusion – Succession or Showdown? 1. Introduction – The Throne Without a Future As Iran’s aging Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei grows increasingly frail, questions of succession dominate both domestic whispers and international strategy rooms. The Islamic Republic, designed around the absolute authority of a single clerical leader, now ...