Israeli media have claimed that Mojtaba Khamenei is the new supreme leader, who is the son of the late Ali Khamenei.
Iran has responded to the claims, saying that the new supreme leader will be selected after the burial of martyred Ali Khamenei.
In Iran, the Supreme Leader is elected by the 88-member Assembly of Experts.
Arab media has also confirmed that Ayatollah Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been elected as Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Procedure for selecting new supreme leader
Reports from Iranian media suggest that consultations regarding the selection of a new Supreme Leader are taking place through confidential channels.
In Iran, discussions about choosing the Supreme Leader are traditionally private, followed by voting.
According to reports, members of the Assembly of Experts are expected to select the Supreme Leader through a secret ballot.
The candidate who receives a majority of votes will be chosen as the next Supreme Leader.
Some media reports suggest that Iranian religious scholars have already conducted voting through a Zoom meeting, which has been described as a form of virtual voting due to current security and political conditions.
Temporary committee managing state affairs
Iran has reportedly formed a temporary three-member committee to oversee state matters during the current situation in the country.
The committee includes the President, the Chief Justice, and the leader of the Assembly of Experts.
These officials have been handling temporary administrative and security decisions for the country over the past two days.
The committee was formed after reports of an attack on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Initial media reports had suggested possible deaths, but Iranian state media later denied these claims.
Reports on Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition
Iranian media have confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and in good health.
Reports say he is closely monitoring the current security situation and participating in decision-making processes.
Earlier, some international and Iranian media outlets had reported that Ayatollah Khamenei and some family members, including Mojtaba Khamenei, had been killed.
These reports were later rechecked, and Iranian sources confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and may be considered a future candidate for leadership.
Legal framework for Supreme Leader selection
The selection of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the past followed the normal constitutional process in Iran.
In the case of Mojtaba Khamenei, reports suggest that if he becomes a candidate, the selection process may be faster but will still follow legal requirements.
Iran’s Article 109 of the constitution outlines qualifications for the Supreme Leader.
It requires high-level Islamic scholarship, the ability to act as a religious authority, and strong political, social, and management skills.
Officials have not confirmed when the final leadership decision will be made.
For now, Iranian authorities continue to monitor the security and political situation while maintaining state operations.
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