Who will lead Iran now that Khamenei is gone? It's not clear

In the days since the surprise death of Iran's supreme leader at the hands of the U.S. and Israel Saturday, there has been much speculation — and confusion — about who's in charge and who will succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

It's only the second time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that a new supreme leader is being chosen. 

Khamenei, who ruled the country for 37 years, died Saturday in the attack by Israel and the U.S. without an officially declared heir. 

Among the names that come up most is one of Khamenei's sons, Mojtaba. Some media were already reporting Tuesday that he was the choice. But there has not been official confirmation. 

And given the U.S. desire for regime change, naming the son of the very man Israel and the U.S. just killed might not sit well with the Trump administration. 

Here’s what to know: 

In the event of the death of the supreme leader, his powers are transferred temporarily to a group of three — the current president, the head of the judiciary and a senior cleric from the Guardian Council.

Currently in charge are Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Eje'i and senior Shia cleric Ayatollah Ali Reza Arafi.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that a new supreme leader would be chosen this week.

In theory, the new leader is chosen by the so-called Assembly of Experts, made up of 88 Shia clerics who are elected after their candidacies are approved by Iran's constitutional watchdog, the Guardian Council.

But it's unclear if that can happen as the country remains under constant attack. In fact, on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the building where the Assembly was meeting had been bombed. It was not clear whether any of the clerics were killed. 

Khamenei had major influence over both the Assembly and the Guardian Council, making it unlikely the next leader will mark a radical departure if chosen by them. And top of that list has been Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Khamenei, who is a mid-level Shia cleric.

Mojtaba Khamenei has strong ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) but has never held office. His selection could also be problematic as the Islamic Republic has long criticized hereditary rule.

As well, it's not clear if Mojtaba is even alive. State media reported that his wife was killed Saturday but made no mention of his whereabouts.