The Islamic Republic of Iran has secretly elected its next supreme leader to succeed the long-time incumbent Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Persian-language international media outlet Iran International confirmed the development in a report on Saturday, Nov. 16. According to the outlet, which has ties to the opponents of the Iranian regime, Tehran has chosen Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali, 85, as the country's supreme leader. Mojtaba, 55, may assume the role even before the passing of his father – who is suffering from a severe illness.
Iran International said 60 members of the Assembly of Experts, the political body tasked with supervising, firing and appointing Iran's supreme leader, convened on Sept. 26 at the behest of the elder Khamenei. The "exceptionally unusual" meeting had one goal: to decide on the succession immediately, without prior notice and under strict confidentiality.
The council unanimously agreed to designate Mojtaba, the incumbent's second eldest son, as the successor to his father despite initial opposition to both the decision and the process. (Related: Iran's leadership divided over response to Nasrallah's killing.)
"Members were warned to keep the meeting confidential, with threats of repercussions for any leaks," Israeli outlet Ynetnews remarked. "Indeed, the meeting's details were kept under wraps for five weeks."
"The assembly resolved to maintain maximum secrecy over the decision due to fears of widespread public protests," Ynetnews continued. "Concerns about protests stem from the undemocratic nature of the process, compounded by [Ali's] prior designation of [Mojtaba] for the role."
According to the Israeli outlet, the second son of the incumbent supreme leader "has been groomed for leadership" over the past two years. Mojtaba's appointment as successor to his father also happened amid his lack of experience and the absence of any formal government positions under his portfolio.
"Sources familiar with the meeting indicated that Iran's supreme leader might hand over the reins to his second son during his lifetime, taking steps to prepare for a smooth transition," reported Ynetnews. "They believe [Ali] hopes to secure Mojtaba's leadership and preempt the anticipated opposition that could arise after his passing."
The elder Khamenei previously opposed his son taking over his position
Incidentally, the September meeting contradicted earlier remarks by the incumbent about his son potentially replacing him. In March, Middle East Eye (MEE) reported that Ali was opposed to Mojtaba succeeding him.
Mahmoud Mohammadi Araghi, a member of the Assembly of Experts, told the Iranian Labor News Agency in February that the elder Khamenei was against the idea of the younger Khamenei succeeding him. He even shared two anecdotes to back up his remarks.
The first anecdote Araghi shared happened during a discussion about one of Ali's four sons who possessed high-level expertise in sharia law and could succeed the supreme leader. At the time, the elder Khamenei intervened and objected to the idea. He argued that it would be akin to "raising the possibility of hereditary leadership" and forbade any further examination of his children's suitability.
The second anecdote involved Ali emphasizing his opposition to close associates of senior leaders, especially their children, from accepting any official positions.
Araghi also recounted remarks delivered by Ahmad Khomeini, the son of Iran's first Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini, before the Assembly of Experts. Ruhollah appointed Ali to succeed him.
"You've chosen someone very good. You've chosen a young leader," Ahmad said at the time. "For now, there is no need to choose another leader soon."
But following the Iran International report, it appears that Ali has seen the writing on the wall – prompting him to name his son Mojtaba as the next leader of the Islamic Republic.
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Watch Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stressing that the U.S., the United Kingdom and Zionist Israel are all the same in this clip.
This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.
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