Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike in February 2026, triggering an expedited succession process under the Assembly of Experts and an interim leadership council. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was installed as the new supreme leader amid the ongoing conflict, marking a rapid hereditary transition that drew internal criticism and external skepticism. Recent reporting indicates factional discussions and Assembly consensus on potential further changes once hostilities subside, citing concerns over Mojtaba's capacity and regime stability. Ongoing military engagements, sanctions pressure, and institutional vetting by bodies like the Guardian Council continue to shape the opaque timeline for any additional leadership shift.