Expert: Khamenei’s death unlikely to trigger political chaos in Iran

An expert told CGTN that the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is a highly significant event but would not necessarily destabilize Iran’s political system, as the country’s security institutions remain in a defensive posture.

Wang Jin, director of the Center for Strategic Studies at Northwest University, said that Iran would need to establish an expert committee to discuss and determine the next supreme leader following Khamenei’s death.

Under Iran’s current system, the supreme leader is selected by the Assembly of Experts, but the body is now operating under wartime conditions, making it uncertain whether members can convene. This could create procedural delays in the succession process.

Wang added that it is possible Khamenei had already designated a successor in a private will. “According to precedent, Ayatollah Khomeini’s succession followed his will, which was later endorsed by the Assembly of Experts,” Wang said. “If Khamenei left a similar directive, it could guide the transition. But such documents are not public, so we do not know.”

Wang emphasized that while the succession process could be complex, Iran’s political institutions are likely to manage the transition without descending into chaos.