The question of succession adds another layer of tension. As discussions about future leadership circulate informally among clerics, political insiders, and ordinary citizens, the absence of a widely accepted figure creates anxiety. People worry that without a unifying candidate who can command broad respect, the transition could become chaotic.
If no credible successor gains support, the risk is that internal divisions widen. A vacuum at the top can weaken the ability of institutions to manage unrest or negotiate compromises. In such moments, outside powers often see an opportunity to influence events, whether through diplomacy, pressure, or covert involvement. Foreign intervention does not require collapse, only a moment of disorganization. The concern many Iranians express is that a lack of consensus around the next leader could open the door to external actors shaping outcomes that should belong to the country itself.