The death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28, resulting from a US airstrike, marks a significant leadership transition for the Islamic Republic, occurring amidst domestic unrest, economic crisis, and external military pressure.

• The succession follows the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, after which Khamenei took over.
• Key surviving political figures include former president Hassan Rouhani, parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, and Ali Larijani, who was recently appointed to effectively run the country.
• Four potential succession scenarios are outlined: a "digging in" by the existing system, a "cut and run" by leaders fleeing, a "suppression and succession" by the IRGC, or a successful popular uprising.