TEHRAN, Iran: Iran’sAssembly of Experts is expected to meet within 24 hours to select a new supreme leader following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iranian media reported on Saturday.
Hossein Mozafari, a member of the 88-member clerical body responsible for appointing the country’s highest authority, said the session would take place soon.
“With divine assistance, this session will occur within the next twenty-four hours,” Mozafari said, according to Iran’s Fars news agency.
He also urged the public to avoid speculation about the succession process.
“Iranians should refrain from any speculation and the spreading of rumours regarding this matter,” Mozafari said, noting that the assembly had not yet formally convened.
Leadership vacuum after Khamenei’s killing
The succession process began after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Iran last weekend, during the opening phase of the ongoing war.
Khamenei had ruled Iran for nearly four decades and held ultimate authority over the country’s political, military and religious institutions.
Under Iran’s system of vilayat-e faqih — the guardianship of the Islamic jurist — the supreme leader has the final say in all matters of state.
The Assembly of Experts, composed of 88 senior clerics, is constitutionally tasked with selecting the next leader.
Iran’s constitution states that the position should normally be filled within three months, but officials have indicated the process could be accelerated due to the wartime situation.
State media reported that some consultations among leaders have already taken place, including discussions held online.
Interim leadership council
Following Khamenei’s death, a temporary leadership structure was established to oversee state affairs until a permanent successor is chosen.
The three-member council includes:
- President Masoud Pezeshkian
- Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei
- Senior cleric Alireza Arafi, a jurist and head of the Basij paramilitary force
The arrangement follows constitutional provisions that allow a temporary council to assume the supreme leader’s duties during a transition.
Senior leaders have urged the Assembly of Experts to move quickly.
Naser Makarem Shirazi said appointing a new leader promptly would help “better organise the country’s affairs”, according to state media.
Hossein Nouri Hamedani also called on the assembly to accelerate the process of selecting Khamenei’s successor.
Mojtaba Khamenei emerges as frontrunner
Although Iranian authorities have not announced any official candidates, Iranian and Western media reports suggest that Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s second son, has emerged as a leading contender.
The 56-year-old cleric has never held elected office. He studied theology in the religious city of Qom.
If selected, Mojtaba Khamenei would become the first supreme leader from the same family as his predecessor.
Several other senior leaders have also been mentioned as possible candidates.
They include Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, a prominent religious figure who serves on both the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts and oversees Iran’s network of seminaries in Qom.
Another possible candidate is Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani, a former judiciary chief and member of one of Iran’s influential political families.
The leadership transition comes at an unprecedented moment for the Islamic Republic.
Khamenei was killed during the opening phase of a war that has already expanded across the Middle East, with missile and drone attacks affecting several Gulf states.
Several senior Iranian officials were also reportedly killed during the initial strikes.
