Iran’s clerical body responsible for choosing the country’s supreme leader has confirmed that a successor to the late Ali Khamenei has been selected, though the name of the new leader has not yet been publicly announced.
Members of the Assembly of Experts said on Sunday that a vote had already been conducted to determine Iran’s next supreme leader following Khamenei’s death.
The clerical council holds constitutional authority to appoint and oversee the country’s highest political and religious authority.
According to assembly member Ahmad Alamolhoda, the decision has been finalized and an official announcement will be made by the body’s secretariat.
“The vote to appoint the leader has taken place and the leader has been chosen,” Alamolhoda said, as reported by Iranian media.
Although the identity of the new leader remains undisclosed, speculation has intensified around Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late supreme leader, who has long been viewed as a potential successor.
Another member of the assembly, Mohsen Heydari, representing Khuzestan Province, confirmed that the majority of members agreed on a candidate.
“The most suitable candidate, approved by the majority of the Assembly of Experts, has been determined,” Heydari said.
Meanwhile, cleric Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri also confirmed that a consensus had been reached, stating that the assembly had formed “a firm opinion reflecting the majority view.”
The leadership transition follows the killing of Khamenei on February 28 during coordinated military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, an event that triggered a wider regional conflict involving Iran.
The succession process has taken place amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Donald Trump has suggested that Washington should have a role in determining Iran’s next leader and has dismissed the possibility of Mojtaba Khamenei assuming the position, describing him as a “lightweight.”
Iranian officials have strongly rejected any suggestion that the United States could influence the selection process.
The Israeli military has also issued warnings directed at members of the Assembly of Experts, stating on social media that it would monitor the leadership selection process and could target individuals involved in it.
Despite the volatile situation, Iranian clerics say the process will continue.
Mirbagheri acknowledged that the country faces difficult circumstances but stressed that the Assembly of Experts remains committed to completing the leadership transition with care and precision.
The supreme leader holds ultimate authority in Iran, overseeing major decisions on military, political and judicial matters, making the appointment one of the most significant political developments in the country’s recent history.
