FT News Briefing Khamenei’s son is frontrunner to be Iran’s supreme leader
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Mar 5, 2026 
Najmeh Buzorgmir, Tehran correspondent with deep Iran reporting, outlines Mojtaba Khamenei’s rise and the secrecy, security and assassination risks shaping succession. Ewan Healy, markets reporter, investigates Market Financial Solutions’ collapse, alleged double‑pledging and fallout for asset‑backed lending. They also touch on Kraken’s Fed access and the likelihood of a new 15% global tariff.
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Succession Process Is Occurring Under Fire
- Iran's succession is happening mid-war with high security risks for clergy meeting in person.
- Najmeh Buzorgmir reports sessions moved online, debate over meeting now or after the war, and the Council of Experts faces assassination threats.
Mojtaba Khamenei Emerges As Leading Candidate
- Mojtaba Khamenei appears to be the early frontrunner in confidential initial votes of the Council of Experts.
- Najmeh notes there is almost no public record of his views, with only a short video as public evidence of his voice.
Successor Would Become Immediate Military Target
- The new supreme leader would instantly become a high-value target for U.S. or Israeli strikes.
- Najmeh highlights Israel's explicit threats and notes senior figures are under tight security amid recent assassinations.