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Iran Has Not Yet Selected a New Supreme Leader After Khamenei’s Death, Says Top Iranian Official in India
Iran has not yet selected a new Supreme Leader following the assassination of Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israel airstrike last week, a senior Iranian official confirmed on Thursday.
Iran has not yet selected a new Supreme Leader following the assassination of Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israel airstrike last week, a senior Iranian official confirmed on Thursday.
Speaking in India, Ayatollah Dr. Abdul Majeed Hakeemelahi, the representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader in India, dismissed reports suggesting that Khamenei’s son Mojtaba Khamenei had already been chosen as the next leader.
According to him, the selection process is still ongoing and no final decision has been made yet.
Reports About Mojtaba Khamenei Becoming Leader Are Not True
Addressing recent media reports, Hakeemelahi clarified that no candidate has been officially nominated or confirmed so far.
“This news is not correct because, until now, the council has not chosen or nominated anyone. The process is still underway,” he said.
He acknowledged that Mojtaba Khamenei is among several candidates being considered, but stressed that his potential selection would be based on qualifications rather than family ties.
“There are several candidates for this position, and Ayatollah Mojtaba is one of them. It is not because he is the son of Ayatollah Khamenei, but because of his qualifications that he may be considered. However, nothing has been finalized yet,” he added.
How Iran Selects Its Supreme Leader
Hakeemelahi also explained the process through which Iran elects its Supreme Leader.
The responsibility lies with the 88-member Assembly of Experts, a powerful religious body whose members are elected by public vote in Iran.
“One of the responsibilities of this council is to elect the Supreme Leader. They have already started discussions to identify the most qualified person for the role,” he said.
However, the current security situation has slowed the process.
Ongoing Conflict Affecting the Decision Process
According to Hakeemelahi, the selection process is facing challenges due to the ongoing tensions and attacks involving the United States and Israel.
“The council members have held several discussions, but the situation is not good because we are under attack by the US and Israel. Once conditions improve and they can gather properly, they will choose the person who is qualified for this position,” he said.
Supreme Leader: Iran’s Most Powerful Position
The Supreme Leader is considered the highest political and religious authority in Iran.
The role holds enormous power, including:
- Final authority over national policies
- Command of the Iranian armed forces
- Major influence over foreign policy and security decisions
Because of these powers, the selection of the next leader is considered one of the most critical political decisions in Iran.
Iran Ready to Defend Itself, Says Official
When asked whether Iran would publicly announce the new leader despite threats from Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, Hakeemelahi said Iran is prepared to protect its leadership.
“Iran is ready to defend itself,” he said.
Recently, Israeli and US airstrikes reportedly targeted a building belonging to the Assembly of Experts in Qom, causing significant damage. Local television footage showed the building heavily affected, although Iranian state media later reported that it was no longer being used for meetings.
Remembering Ayatollah Khamenei
While speaking about the late leader, Hakeemelahi shared an interesting insight into Khamenei’s admiration for India.
“He used to encourage people to study about India. He would say, ‘If you want to understand the history of Iran, you cannot fully understand it without studying the history of India,’” he recalled.
Khamenei Led Iran for Over Three Decades
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who became Iran’s Supreme Leader in 1989, led the country for more than three decades.
He was reportedly killed in the US-Israel airstrike on February 28. His wife later died due to injuries sustained in the attack. Reports also claim that his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter were killed in the strike.
His death has triggered a critical leadership transition in Iran, with the Assembly of Experts now responsible for choosing the country’s next Supreme Leader.
