Iranian media reported on March 1 that after Supreme Leader Khamenei’s martyrdom, a provisional leadership structure was activated according to Article 111 of the Constitution. A three-member committee composed of President Pezeshkian, the Minister of Justice, and a jurist from the Guardian Council is leading the country.
(Background: The U.S. and Israel launched the “Judea Shield Operation” bombing Iran! Bitcoin was sold off by $1.8 billion, with over 150,000 traders liquidated.)
(Additional context: Reports suggest Israel launched a “preemptive” military strike on Iran! Bitcoin suddenly dropped below $65,000, and market panic soared.)
Today (March 1), Iranian media reported that following the martyrdom of Supreme Leader Khamenei in the joint U.S.-Israel airstrike on February 28, Iran officially activated the temporary leadership mechanism stipulated in Article 111 of the Constitution: a three-person committee consisting of President Pezeshkian, the Minister of Justice, and a jurist from the Guardian Council, jointly managing the country’s operations.
This is the first time since the death of Khomeini in 1989 that Iran has initiated a succession process for the Supreme Leader, and it is also the first practical application of this constitutional clause in a wartime environment.
It is noteworthy that Pezeshkian is a reformist, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) controls an economic empire estimated at over $100 billion. Whether the three-member committee can operate effectively depends on the military’s willingness to cooperate with a reformist president’s leadership. The CIA previously warned that the fall of Khamenei could directly lead to a takeover by the IRGC.
Multiple high-ranking officials dead; potential successors?
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that the initial airstrike resulted in the deaths of seven senior officials, including Khamenei advisor Ali Shamkhani, and targeted about 30 military and political leaders, severely weakening Iran’s command chain. Under these conditions, whether the 88-person expert council can safely convene to select a new Supreme Leader remains uncertain. The constitution does not specify a deadline for succession, and no announcement has been made yet.
Current potential successors include:
- Mujeh Tabar, son of Khamenei (uncertain if survived the airstrike)
- Larijani, the most senior civilian official known to be still alive after the strike
- Hossain Khomeini, grandson of Khomeini
These three represent hereditary, pragmatic, and reformist paths, but none may fully satisfy the needs of the clergy and the Revolutionary Guards.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
ETF Absorbs Over $1.1 Billion Yet Struggles to Rescue the Market? Powell and Oil Prices Team Up to Put Pressure On, Bitcoin Breaks Key Support
Despite Bitcoin ETF inflows of $1.16 billion, Bitcoin price pulled back to $71,000, declining over 4%. Analysts attribute the pullback to interest rate expectations and inflation pressures, while ETF inflows indicate that institutions view Bitcoin as a long-term asset. The weakness in U.S. equities has also impacted the crypto market.
GateNews17m ago
Gold and Bitcoin decline simultaneously by 3.6% and 4.6%, respectively, as the global market faces stagflation shocks.
On March 19, escalating geopolitical conflicts and hawkish Federal Reserve policies exposed global markets to stagflation pressures driven by oil. Rising oil prices, coupled with declining equities and metals, also impacted cryptocurrencies. Macroeconomic dynamics revealed intensifying energy tensions and widespread risk-averse sentiment across markets.
GateNews26m ago
Bank of Japan Holds Steady: Takaichi Calls for Caution, Iran Conflict May Increase Inflation Pressure
The Bank of Japan maintains its benchmark interest rate at 0.75% unchanged, while warning that the Iran conflict could push up energy prices and create inflationary pressure. In the short term, inflation may fall below 2%, but the Middle East situation and rising oil prices could continue to impact prices. Markets are focused on wage negotiation progress, as wage growth will affect future rate hike decisions.
GateNews32m ago
DWF Labs partner denies "bearish on altcoins" remarks, stating that the related reports are false information
Gate News reported that on March 19, DWF Labs Managing Partner Andrei Grachev posted on X platform stating that some media outlets spreading claims that he said "altcoins will never rise" is misinformation. He indicated that the current market is in an activation and expansion phase, recommending attention to actual market performance, and cautioning against blindly trusting media reports, instead using original information sources as the basis for judgment. Previously, he disclosed that he had increased holdings in altcoins, Bitcoin, and BNB in February of this year, and plans to wait for a market rebound.
GateNews39m ago
