The Assembly of Experts, the powerful clerical body responsible for selecting Iran’s next supreme leader, is reportedly close to reaching a majority agreement on who will succeed the recently killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This development was confirmed by Ayatollah Mohammadmehdi Mirbaqeri, a member of the assembly, who indicated that while a consensus is nearly achieved, some procedural hurdles remain before the final decision can be formally announced.
In recent days, the assembly has been under intense pressure to expedite the selection process following the death of Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike amid escalating regional conflict. A senior cleric within the assembly stated that members planned to convene within a day to finalize their choice, underscoring the urgency of stabilizing Iran’s leadership during this turbulent period.
Two prominent members of the assembly, Ayatollah Mohsen Heidari Alekasir and Ahmad Alamolhoda, have publicly stated that the successor has already been chosen. Alamolhoda mentioned that the official announcement would come from Ayatollah Hashem Hosseini Bushehri, who heads the assembly’s secretariat. However, Iranian media outlets have highlighted a minor disagreement within the group regarding whether the final decision requires an in-person meeting or if it can be ratified through remote or written communication, given the extraordinary circumstances.
Heidari Alekasir explained that convening a plenary session is currently unfeasible due to security concerns, emphasizing that any attack on the assembly would only serve the interests of Iran’s adversaries and undermine the revolution. This caution stems from a series of targeted strikes by Israeli and U.S. forces since the war erupted on February 28, which have claimed the lives of numerous Iranian officials and commanders, including the supreme leader himself. Notably, Iranian media reported that an auxiliary building of the Assembly of Experts in Qom was destroyed in one such strike.
The selection of the new supreme leader reportedly aligns with the late Ayatollah Khamenei’s own guidance that the individual should be someone “hated by the enemy” rather than celebrated by them. This principle reflects the regime’s longstanding stance of defiance against Western powers, particularly the United States, which it often refers to as the “Great Satan.” In this context, the chosen successor’s name has even been mentioned by U.S. officials, highlighting the geopolitical significance of the appointment.
Among the leading candidates is Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of the late supreme leader. Despite not holding any official government position beyond his role in his father’s office, Mojtaba wields considerable influence within Iran’s clerical and military establishments, largely due to his close ties with the elite Revolutionary Guards. His prominence has grown over the years, positioning him as a key figure behind the scenes and a potential heir to his father’s legacy.
However, Mojtaba’s candidacy has been met with skepticism and outright rejection by some international figures. Former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly declared Mojtaba an “unacceptable” choice for Iran’s next leader and insisted on being involved in the selection process. This statement came days after speculation intensified about Mojtaba’s likely succession, underscoring the international ramifications of Iran’s leadership transition.
It is also worth noting that Mojtaba was not in Tehran when his father was killed, a detail that adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding political drama. Domestically, he has faced criticism from protestors, particularly during the widespread unrest sparked by the death of a young woman in police custody in 2022. The protests, which were fueled by grievances over Iran’s strict dress codes and broader authoritarian policies, highlighted Mojtaba’s perceived influence over the country’s security forces, which have been instrumental in suppressing dissent.
Ali Khamenei had served as Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, following nearly eight years as president. His death marks a significant turning point for the Islamic Republic, and the assembly’s forthcoming decision will shape the country’s political landscape for years to come. As the clerical body moves toward finalizing its choice, all eyes remain on Iran, where the balance of power hangs in the balance amid ongoing conflict and internal challenges.
