Iran’s assembly of experts has reportedly elected a new supreme leader through a majority decision. Ahmad Alamolhoda, a member of the assembly, mentioned that the announcement will be made by Hosseini Bushehri, the head of the Secretariat, according to Iran’s Mehr news agency.
Following the assassination of former leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes, retaliatory actions have been ongoing in the Middle East. Iran has targeted military sites in Israel and US-allied Gulf states, some of which have impacted civilian areas and energy facilities.
Israel has conducted multiple strikes in southern Lebanon and Beirut recently, resulting in casualties and injuries. The country claimed to be targeting Hezbollah command centers and weapons storage facilities.
In response to the escalating conflict, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning of more surprises in the conflict’s next phase. Israel has vowed to pursue any successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, emphasizing a relentless pursuit of individuals involved in selecting the new supreme leader.
The assembly of experts, comprising Islamic scholars loyal to the regime, is close to reaching a consensus on Khamenei’s successor. Efforts to determine the new leadership have been intensive, with a unanimous decision expected soon.
Despite minor disagreements within the assembly over the decision process, an in-person meeting for a final vote was deemed unfeasible due to current conditions. The selection of the new leader was based on a directive from Khamenei to be despised by enemies rather than praised.
Discussions around the successor have gained attention, with the US even acknowledging certain candidates. The assembly remains focused on finalizing the selection process to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.