Iran’s clerical body has selected a new supreme leader, with the name to be announced later as Israel threatens members of the selection assembly.
TEHRAN: The clerical body tasked with selecting Iran’s new supreme leader has reached a decision on a successor, although the chosen name has not yet been publicly announced.
“The vote to appoint the leader has taken place and the leader has been chosen,” said Assembly of Experts member Ahmad Alamolhoda, as quoted by Iran’s Mehr news agency.
He confirmed that the secretariat of the body will announce the name at a later time.
Other members of the assembly confirmed the decision, with one suggesting the son of the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei will take the post.
Mojtaba Khamenei has long been touted as a possible successor to his father, who became the country’s ultimate authority in 1989.
Mohsen Heydari, representing Khuzestan province in the selection body, stated that “the most suitable candidate, approved by the majority of the Assembly of Experts, has been determined”, according to Iran’s ISNA news agency.
“The ‘Great Satan’ has also mentioned the name of the choice made by the representatives,” he added, in an apparent reference to the United States.
US President Donald Trump has insisted he should have a role in picking the next leader and has rejected the possibility of Mojtaba Khamenei filling the role, dismissing him as a “lightweight”.
Iranian officials have categorically rejected the notion that Trump would have any role in choosing a successor.
Another member of the assembly, Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri, confirmed in a video carried by Iran’s Fars news agency that “a firm opinion reflecting the majority view has been reached”.
The position of supreme leader is the highest political and religious authority in Iran and holds the final say on all matters of state.
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28 during US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which triggered a war that has since spread across the Middle East.
On Sunday, the Israeli military’s Farsi-language account on X threatened to “target” members of the assembly choosing the new leader.
“We wish to inform you that the State of Israel will continue to closely monitor any successor and anyone seeking to appoint one,” it said in a post.
“We warn all those considering taking part in this meeting to select the successor that we will not hesitate to target you.”
Mirbagheri insisted members of the body were proceeding as planned with precision, acknowledging that “the current circumstances are difficult and obstacles remain”.
