Iran’s Assembly of Experts has selected the next Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, under pressure from the Revolutionary Guard in a first-ever virtual meeting.
Virtual Selection Process
The Persian-language channel Iran International reported that Iran’s Assembly of Experts, responsible for selecting the next Supreme Leader, met for the first time virtually. It had previously been in the “final phase” of choosing a new leader, but a timeline was unknown.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) pressed for a swift appointment following Ali Khamenei’s death. Ongoing airstrikes made it impossible to convene the Assembly of Experts, leading the IRGC to demand the nomination bypass legal procedures.
Mojtaba Khamenei Named Successor
Opposition representatives, cited by Iran International, claimed that under pressure from the Revolutionary Guard, Mojtaba, son of Ali Khamenei, was selected as the new Supreme Leader.
Last weekend, conflicting reports emerged about Mojtaba Khamenei, questioning his survival after an assassination attempt. Eventually, agencies confirmed he is alive and in a “safe place.”
Internal Chaos and Confusion
Reports seen by Iran International also indicate rising confusion and unrest within Iran’s security and military structures after Khamenei’s death. Sources stated, “Disruptions have occurred in some links of the chain of command, hindering the transmission of orders and operational coordination. This may further complicate on-the-ground decision-making and crisis management in the coming hours and days.”