Expert Predictions on Iran's Successor to Ali Khamenei
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has died as a result of a combined Israeli and American military strike. Hikmahanto Juwana, professor of international law at the University of Indonesia, has predicted the identity of Iran’s new leader following Khamenei’s death in the war.
“Currently, I understand his successor is Ali Khamenei’s son. However, according to Iran’s constitution, if there is no Ayatollah, the President, Chief Justice, and a representative of the mullahs would hold power,” Hikmahanto told reporters on Monday, 2 March 2026.
Hikmahanto stated that the war situation could potentially persist for an extended period if Iran’s new supreme leader adopts a hardline stance against the United States and Israel. Conversely, the situation could improve if Khamenei’s replacement prevents further loss of life in the conflict.
“If Khamenei’s replacement proves to be realistic and unwilling to sacrifice his people, they could surrender to the US and Israel,” said Hikmahanto.
Hikmahanto subsequently referenced the pattern of regime change by the United States, as occurred in Venezuela. In his view, Khamenei’s successor could be someone willing to cooperate with the West or an outsider to the Khamenei regime, such as the crown prince or descendant of Iran’s last Shah, Reza Pahlavi.
“And a change of government will occur. It could be like Venezuela, where the replacement cooperates with the US and Israel, or it could be someone currently outside Iran, such as the son of the Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi,” he said.
Furthermore, he outlined the conditions that Israel would expect and the US would endorse in Khamenei’s successor. According to him, the figure must be willing to cooperate with the US and Israel, and even restore diplomatic relations with Israel.
“Second, they must be willing to abandon the development of nuclear weapons and uranium enrichment. Third, they will no longer finance proxies fighting Israel—Hamas, Houthi, and Hezbollah,” he concluded.
Khamenei died in the war initiated by Israeli and American strikes on Iran. Beyond Khamenei, numerous officials, including his daughters and grandsons, also perished in the strike.
US President Donald Trump announced Khamenei’s death resulting from the Israeli and American strike on Iran on Saturday, 28 February.
“Khamenei, one of the worst people in history, is dead,” Trump said on his Truth Social media network.
On Sunday, 1 March, Iran confirmed the death of its supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, as a result of the strike. Iran also declared a 40-day period of mourning.
According to CNN and AFP, in addition to Khamenei, his daughter, son-in-law, and grandsons also died. Furthermore, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Mohammad Pakpour and Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh also perished.