Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a coma? All about succession plans amid clashes with Israel

Iran is likely to see a major change in leadership this year amid escalating tensions with Israel and the looming threat of a wider Middle East war. Speculative reports suggest that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has fallen into a coma and remains ‘seriously ill’. Officials are believed to have chosen a successor to the 85-year-old during a secret meeting last month.

According to reports, Tehran secretly chose its successor in late September – with the ailing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei possibly abdicating before his death. A report by Iran International suggests that his son Mojtaba Khamenei will assume the top role while his father is alive.

Several social media posts now claim that Khamenei has fallen into a coma – despite no official confirmation regarding his health. The Iranian leader was last seen on November 7 when he addressed the sixth session of the Assembly of Experts in the Leadership of Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah. Before that, he had met with university students in Tehran to mark Students’ Day on November 2.

60 members of the Iranian Assembly of Experts reportedly met secretly on September 26 to agree to a demand from Khamenei. They were required to make a decision about the inheritance immediately and with the utmost confidentiality. The candidate and the procedure were both met with opposition, and reports suggest that Khamenei and his representatives also issued direct threats. The need for secrecy was also fueled by the possibility of widespread public protest.

A New York Times report on October 27 also supported the claim – claiming Khamenei was suffering from a serious medical condition and repeating claims that his son Mojtaba would be the successor.

Khamenei had served as Iran’s president when he took over as supreme leader in 1989. He is the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East. Mojtaba has assumed an increasingly central role in Iranian decision-making – surpassing key challengers such as the late president Ebrahim Raisi. His appointment is now something of a given, despite his lack of experience and non-participation in formal government positions.

Source-based reports suggested that Khamenei is seeking to abdicate and hand over power during his lifetime to ensure a smooth transition – to pre-empt the expected opposition and protests that may arise after his death.