A Change of Guard?

[Reza]

Continuing our discussion of Hooman Majd's "The Ayatollahs' Democracy," let's look ahead at the future. Both Khamenei and Rafsanjani, two of the major leaders in the Islamic Republic of Iran since the revolution, are in their 70s. Although both are in good health, what would happen in a few years were they to pass? Would this spur a change in the way the government is run? Would the end of the old guard be the impetus for greater political freedoms in Iran?

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[Sophia]

There are other conservative ayatollahs and other clerics who could replace them, but at the same time, more progressive religious leaders could claim those positions. I do believe there would have to be widespread support for change, because when Khatami tried to institute changes he was continually blocked. If another charismatic politicians like Khatami (I've never met him but from what I have seen, he seems to have this quality) was to emerge at the right time, things could change dramatically.