Chosen by War: The Rise of Iran’s New Supreme Leader
TL;DR
Following the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, his son Mushtaba Hami was elevated to the position in a contentious succession battle that violated the 1979 revolution's anti-monarchy principles. His selection represents a victory for hardliners and the Revolutionary Guards who prioritized wartime continuity and defiance against the US and Israel over moderate calls for reform.
⚔️ The Factional Power Struggle 3 insights
Revolutionary Ideals vs. Hereditary Rule
The appointment of a supreme leader's son directly contradicts the Islamic Republic's founding principle of ending monarchic succession, breaking from the precedent set when Ayatollah Khomeini's son was passed over for the presidency in 1989.
Hardline Existential Priority
The Revolutionary Guards and hardliners unanimously backed Mushtaba to ensure no wartime concessions to the US, viewing him as a reincarnation of his father who would preserve their economic and political control while commanding the war effort.
Moderate Reform Push
Moderates led by Ali Larijani and President Pezeshkian argued for candidates like former President Hassan Rouhani or Hassan Khomeini to signal potential policy moderation to a restive public and the international community amid unprecedented crisis.
🏛️ The Selection Drama 3 insights
Assassination Threats Delay Announcement
The Assembly of Experts initially voted for Mushtaba immediately after the assassination, but paused the public announcement after President Trump and Israel's defense minister explicitly threatened to eliminate the next successor.
The Late Leader's Alleged Opposition
During the delay, moderates presented testimony from the late Supreme Leader's chief of staff and top military adviser, plus a sealed will, claiming he explicitly opposed his son's succession and any family member taking the role.
Emergency Vote Seals Victory
Revolutionary Guards generals and former intelligence chief Hossein Taeb launched a counter-offensive, personally calling assembly members for an emergency virtual vote that secured Mushtaba's appointment with a two-thirds majority on March 8th.
🎭 Profile of the New Leader 3 insights
Shadow Power Broker
Mushtaba operated for decades behind the scenes managing his father's military and security administration, forming a powerful strategic trio with General Mohammad Bagheri and Hossein Taeb to influence elections and state crackdowns.
War Veteran Credentials
At age 17, he volunteered for the Iran-Iraq war, bonding with current generals in the trenches and earning veteran status that distinguishes him from sheltered elite children and cemented lifelong alliances with military leadership.
Religious and Ideological Standing
After the war, he studied in Qom to become a Shia jurist, teaching advanced Islamic jurisprudence before entering his father's political circle, combining religious authority with deep ties to the security apparatus.
Bottom Line
Wartime crisis enabled Iran's hardliners to override both revolutionary anti-monarchy principles and the late leader's alleged final wishes, installing a shadowy insider with deep Revolutionary Guard ties who guarantees continued regional aggression and defiance toward the West.
More from New York Times Podcasts
View all
As Trump Purges Immigration Judges, One Speaks Out
This investigation reveals how the Trump administration has systematically transformed the immigration court system—uniquely part of the executive branch—into a deportation tool by firing 115 judges and imposing unprecedented pressure, driving asylum grant rates to historic lows below 10%.
Better Than Store-Bought: The Best Gear for Homemade Popsicles, Slushies, and Ice Cream
Wirecutter's kitchen experts review the best gear for homemade frozen treats, recommending affordable $15 ice pop molds and specific blender techniques while warning against the popular Ninja Creami due to safety concerns and plastic contamination risks.
R.F.K. Jr.’s Newest Mission: Getting Us Off Antidepressants
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is advancing federal policies to incentivize 'deprescribing' of antidepressants, forcing a reckoning within psychiatry over its lack of training and research regarding long-term medication cessation while amplifying patient demands for support in discontinuing SSRIs.
Art, Outrage and How the Culture Wars Began
Cultural historian Isaac Butler traces the birth of modern American culture wars to the 1980s and 90s, revealing how tactical playbooks pioneered during the 1970s Kanawha County textbook wars transformed art funding and expression into central political battlegrounds.