Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's Health Worsens, Succession Speculation Grows
Iran has a very important leader called the Supreme Leader.
The person in that job right now is Mojtaba Khamenei.
Some news reports say he is very sick and might die soon.
He was badly hurt during an attack on February 28.
The attack also killed his father, who was the leader before him.
Since becoming the leader, he has not appeared in public or given any speeches.
People are worried about what will happen next.
Iran has special rules for choosing a new leader.
A group of 88 wise people would get to pick the next Supreme Leader.
Several important people might become the next leader, but nobody knows for sure yet.
UK-based IranWire reports that sources close to President Pezeshkian's administration say Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is rumored to be in "extremely critical condition" and could die at any moment.
Khamenei has made no public appearances or speeches since succeeding his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the February 28 US-Israeli attack on the Supreme Leader's compound.
Iran International reported that Pezeshkian's only meeting with Khamenei occurred in a dark, tinted-windowed car in Tehran, where he could not see or shake hands with the leader.
Iran's Constitution, under Article 111, provides for an interim three-member council of the president, judiciary chief and a Guardian Council jurist if the Supreme Leader's office becomes vacant.
The 88-member Assembly of Experts would appoint a successor; possible contenders include Alireza Arafi, Hashem Hosseini Bushehri, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei and Hassan Khomeini.
- Who
- Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader; President Masoud Pezeshkian; and the 88-member Assembly of Experts, which appoints the Supreme Leader.
- What
- Unverified reports claim Khamenei's condition is "extremely critical," renewing attention on Iran's constitutional succession process and potential successors.
- When
- Reports have circulated over several weeks following the February 28 US-Israeli attack on the Supreme Leader's compound.
- Where
- Iran, including a reported secret meeting in Tehran; the attack occurred at the start of the West Asia conflict.
- Why
- Khamenei suffered severe facial and leg injuries in the February 28 attack and has not appeared publicly since becoming Supreme Leader.
- Supreme Leader
- Mojtaba Khamenei
- Reported Condition
- "Extremely critical" per rumors and Israeli broadcaster Channel 14; unverified with no official confirmation from Tehran
- Cause of Injuries
- Severe facial and leg injuries from the February 28 US-Israel attack on the Supreme Leader's compound, which killed his father and other family members
- Public Appearances
- None since becoming Supreme Leader; only a handful of letters attributed to him published by state news agencies
- Interim Authority (Article 111)
- Three-member council: President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and a religious jurist from the Guardian Council
- Successor Selection Body
- The 88-member Assembly of Experts
- Reported Pezeshkian Meeting
- Secret meeting in Tehran inside a dark, tinted-windowed car lasting only a few minutes; Pezeshkian could not see or shake hands with Khamenei
- Potential Successors
- Alireza Arafi, Hashem Hosseini Bushehri, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei and Hassan Khomeini; possible collective leadership or greater IRGC influence
