Iran’s new leader faces crisis after supreme leader’s funeral

The BBC’s chief international correspondent examines how Iran’s new leadership will tackle the country’s mounting challenges. With the late supreme leader now buried, the question is not who will replace him, but how the next ruler will respond to economic collapse, internal protests, and international isolation. The funeral marked a turning point. For decades, the supreme leader was the ultimate authority on all state matters. Now, without his guiding hand, Iran’s hardliners and moderates are already jockeying for influence. The new leadership must decide quickly: will it double down on repression, or seek a path to de-escalation with the West? On the streets, many Iranians are watching warily. The economy is in freefall, with inflation eroding wages and sanctions cutting off trade. Any new leader will need to restore public trust or risk a fresh wave of unrest. Abroad, the situation is no easier. Iran’s nuclear program remains a flashpoint, and its proxies in Yemen, Lebanon, and Syria are under pressure. The new supreme leader will have to balance defiance with the need to avoid a direct military confrontation. The world is waiting for a sign. The funeral is over. The real test of leadership has just begun.