Sources cited by DW report that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has reportedly been chosen as the new supreme leader of Iran. The decision was allegedly made by the Assembly of Experts, a council made up of 88 senior Shiite clerics responsible for appointing the country’s highest religious and political authority.
How was Mojtaba Khamenei selected as the new supreme leader?
According to sources inside the Islamic Republic, the Assembly of Experts voted to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader. This influential body consists of 88 members recognized as specialists in Islamic law. They are elected by Iranian citizens every eight years, with the latest election taking place in 2024.
Sources also claim that the decision was made under pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). However, Iranian authorities and official media outlets have not yet confirmed the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei.
Who is governing Iran temporarily?
Following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran is currently being administered by a temporary three-person leadership council. The council includes President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, who is a member of the Guardian Council.
What happened to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had led Iran since 1989. Reports indicate that he was killed during a military operation carried out by Israel and the United States against the Islamic Republic. The operation reportedly began on February 28.
Why did the United States and Israel launch the operation?
On the morning of February 28, Israel and the United States began conducting strikes on Iranian territory. US President Donald Trump stated that the objective of the operation was to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program. He also urged Iran’s armed forces to surrender and called on Iranian citizens to “take their destiny into their own hands.”
What were the consequences of the attacks?
Iranian state media reported on March 3 that at least 787 people had been killed as a result of the strikes across the country. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and several countries in the Persian Gulf region, which also resulted in casualties.
Tehran insists that it is not fighting Arab countries and claims that its strikes targeted United States military bases located in the region.