Iran postponed the funeral for its former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose killing has sparked a succession race that hardliners appear poised to win.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the former leader’s son and one of the most influential figures in the Iranian clerical establishment, has reportedly survived US and Israeli strikes against him, strengthening his hand. Meanwhile Alireza Arafi, a conservative Islamist who The Economist says is the leading contender to succeed Khamenei, was recently elected as a member of Iran’s Interim Leadership Council, Al Monitor reported.
The hardliners’ apparent success is among the reasons US officials are bearish on the prospects for regime change in the country, despite Washington’s calls for Iranians to overthrow the leadership.