Iran yet to choose new Supreme Leader after Khamenei’s killing, selection process underway
Abdul Majeed Hakeemelahi, representative of Iran’s supreme leader in India, clarifies that process to appoint country’s next top leader is still ongoing
PTC Web Desk: Iran has not yet selected a successor to late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a reported joint airstrike carried out by the United States and Israel last week, a senior Iranian cleric has said.
Abdul Majeed Hakeemelahi, the representative of Iran’s supreme leader in India, clarified on Thursday that the process to appoint the country’s next top leader is still ongoing and no final decision has been made.
Responding to media reports suggesting that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late leader, had already been chosen as the next Supreme Leader, Hakeemelahi dismissed the claims as premature. He said the council responsible for selecting the leader has neither nominated nor elected anyone yet.
According to him, several individuals are being considered for the position, and Mojtaba Khamenei is among the potential candidates. However, he stressed that the consideration is based on qualifications rather than family ties, and discussions are still underway to identify the most suitable candidate.
Hakeemelahi explained that the responsibility of electing the Supreme Leader lies with the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body elected by the public in Iran. One of its key constitutional duties is to appoint the country’s highest religious and political authority.
He noted that the council has begun consultations to identify a qualified leader but the process has been complicated by the current security situation, as Iran is facing military pressure from the United States and Israel.
Once the members are able to convene in stable conditions, they are expected to finalise the choice of the next Supreme Leader, he added.
The Supreme Leader holds the highest authority in the Islamic Republic. The position carries decisive influence over national policies and strategic decisions and also includes the role of commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces.
When asked about the possibility of publicly announcing the new leader despite threats from Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz to target Iran’s leadership, Hakeemelahi said Iran remains prepared to defend itself.