Iran’s new supreme leader selection panel reaches consensus

The clerical body set to choose Iran’s next supreme leader has reached a consensus under extraordinary circumstances. The assembly members have concluded their deliberations despite the ongoing conflict with both Israel and the United States, leading to multiple deaths within its ranks.

Assembly member Ayatollah Mohammadmehdi Mirbaqeri confirmed on Sunday that some minor issues remain unresolved. Another senior cleric from the Assembly of Experts indicated they would convene “within one day” for a final decision on their candidate to succeed the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Two members, Ayatollahs Hashem Hosseini Bushehri and Ahmad Alamolhoda, have announced that the assembly has chosen a successor. The group’s discussions about whether they need to meet in person or opt for remote decision-making reflect their cautious stance given recent attacks on the venue.

Heidari Alekasir, one of the two members who made this announcement, stressed the significance of maintaining secrecy and avoiding any formality that could compromise the process. He explained, “This is an extraordinary situation, the assembly cannot meet in a plenary. We are considering remote options to prevent our enemies from benefiting.”

The chosen candidate aligns with Ayatollah Khamenei’s final advice for his successor: someone “hated by the enemy” rather than praised. This stance was echoed days after US President Donald Trump declared that Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali Khamenei’s son and a mid-ranking hard-line cleric, would be unacceptable as a candidate.

Mojtaba Khamenei, aged 56, has significant ties to Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards and holds considerable influence within the Iranian clerical establishment. His background includes working in his father’s office for years despite never holding a government position. He is seen as a potential successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran from 1989 when he became supreme leader after serving as president for nearly eight years.

The recent attacks on the Assembly of Experts highlight its precarious situation: Israeli and US strikes have killed dozens of officials and commanders, including the late Ayatollah Khamenei. Despite these challenges, the assembly remains focused on nominating a new figure who aligns with their strategic goals amidst a prolonged conflict.