Iran chooses Khamenei's successor as Israel already targets new leader
Iran secretly chooses new supreme leader (photo: flickr.com)
Iran has determined on a successor to Ali Khamenei, but the name of the new supreme leader is being kept secret for now. Israel has already warned that whoever takes the position will become a military target, according to The Guardian and The Washington Post.
New leader's election
The media outlets report that the Assembly of Experts has confirmed a consensus on the candidate.
Clergy representatives hint that the new leader of Iran will be a figure particularly inconvenient for the West.
"The most suitable candidate, approved by the majority of the assembly of experts, has been determined," said Ayatollah Mohsen Heydari, a member of the selection body.
The leading contender is believed to be the late leader's son, 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei, whose candidacy is reportedly supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Global reaction
Israel and the United States have already responded to the power transition in Tehran. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) warned that it will continue targeting the leadership of the Iranian regime.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he intends to intervene in the election process.
"Iran having a new leader would help them advance their war against us. Iran not having a leader is something that makes it hard for them to operate the war machine against us," IDF spokesperson Nadav Shoshani said.
Trump's position on Iranian leadership change
Earlier, the US president said Washington is considering three main candidates for Iran's supreme leader, though none are ideal for stabilizing the region.
In particular, he criticized Mojtaba Khamenei, calling the late ayatollah's son "incompetent" and expressing readiness to "help" the Iranian people choose a proper leader.
Trump also stressed that the future successor must receive approval from the United States. Otherwise, his rule will not last long.
In addition, the White House officially confirmed that the US strategic goal is a complete change of leadership in Iran and the dismantling of the current theocratic regime.
