Iranian Clerics Reportedly Choose Next Supreme Leader, Identity Undisclosed

Iranian clerics have reportedly selected the country’s next supreme leader, according to state media. However, the identity of the chosen candidate has not been revealed.

Several hardline members of the 88-member Assembly of Experts, the body tasked with choosing Iran’s next supreme leader, have confirmed that a decision has been made. Ayatollah Ahmad Alam al-Hoda was quoted by the semi-official Mehr news agency as saying, “The elections for the leadership have been held and the leader has been appointed.”

Another member of the Assembly, Ayatollah Heidari, stated that the “best” option, approved by the majority, has been chosen. Heidari also noted that even the “Great Satan” – a term hardline clerics use to refer to the United States – has mentioned the name of the selected individual.

The succession process is defined by the Iranian constitution and involves a temporary leadership council and a formal selection by the Assembly of Experts. Immediately after the current leader’s death, Iran will activate a three-member temporary leadership council to ensure continuity of governance until a permanent successor is chosen.

The Assembly of Experts, composed of 88 Shiite clerics, is responsible for selecting the next supreme leader. The candidate must be a senior Islamic jurist with religious authority, political judgement, and administrative ability, according to Iran’s constitution.

While the identity of the chosen successor remains undisclosed, Israel’s military has vowed to target the new supreme leader. This development comes after US President Donald Trump stated that it would be unacceptable for Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the current Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, to succeed him.

Source: Times of Kuwait