Iran says 'no one knows' new supreme leader after conflicting claims
Mar 8th 2026
Iran's foreign minister says the next supreme leader is unknown hours after an Assembly of Experts member claimed a successor had been chosen, as the conflict with the US and Israel intensifies following Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death.
- Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC that no one knows who will be Iran's next supreme leader.
- Assembly of Experts member Ahmad Alamolhoda told state media a successor had been chosen but did not name them.
- The Assembly of Experts is the body that selects the supreme leader and members reportedly disagree on how and when to announce a successor.
- Israel posted that it would pursue anyone who seeks to appoint a successor, which officials say may be slowing any public announcement.
- The uncertainty comes as the war with the US and Israel enters its ninth day after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed and recent strikes hit Tehran oil sites, Lebanon and Bahrain, with at least 1,230 dead in Iran so far.