Significant Progress Made in Selecting Successor to Iran's Late Supreme Leader Khamenei

Significant progress has reportedly been made in the process of selecting a successor for the late Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to Mehr News Agency (MNA) in Tehran, a majority consensus has been reached within Iran's powerful religious body, the 'Assembly of Experts,' regarding Khamenei's successor, although a formal announcement is still pending.

The report, citing Assembly of Experts member Mirbakery, noted that consensus has been reached among most members regarding the selection of the successor. However, it was stated that the leadership transition process is not yet fully complete as some procedural hurdles remain to be resolved.

The process of selecting a successor is moving forward amid the leadership vacuum created by the death of the 86-year-old Khamenei, which is reported to have occurred during an incident linked to the United States and an Israeli attack. Following this, Iran's political and security situation has become further sensitive.

Meanwhile, Iran's Leadership Council has also indicated that the successor appointment process is advancing. On Wednesday this week, the Council informed state media that a new Supreme Leader would be appointed soon.

In a video released by Tasnim News Agency, a government official speaking to state television stated that no complex issues have arisen regarding the leadership. According to him, the Leadership Council is currently managing the country's administrative responsibilities.

"By the grace of God, we are close to a decision, but the current situation is a state of war," he said. He compared the current transitional phase to the leadership change that occurred after the passing of Iran's founding leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

According to him, at that time, it was possible to appoint a new leader immediately because the country was not in a state of war. Currently, however, the process has become somewhat complicated due to ongoing regional tensions and military conflicts.

Nevertheless, he stated that even in this situation, the Assembly of Experts is actively engaged in the process of selecting a new Supreme Leader. In the meantime, various speculations are circulating regarding potential successors. Israeli media had claimed that Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, had been selected as the successor.

However, the Iranian government has denied these claims. The Iranian Consulate General in Mumbai issued a statement via social media platform X, stating that the news circulating in the media about potential candidates for the succession has no official basis and that these claims have been officially rejected.

The statement read, "There is no official source for the reports circulating in the media regarding potential candidates for the leadership to be selected by the Assembly of Experts of Iran, and these claims are officially denied."

Although Israeli media claimed Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen, Iranian state media have not independently confirmed this. As the process of selecting new political leadership moves forward, tribute ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader Khamenei have also begun in Iran.

According to Iran's state media, a program for citizens to pay their final respects to Khamenei is scheduled for tonight at the Imam Khomeini Prayer Ground in Tehran. These tribute ceremonies are expected to continue for three days. The date and format of the final funeral procession will be announced after a formal decision is made.

Tensions in the Middle East region have escalated sharply following the death of Khamenei. It is reported that Khamenei and several senior Iranian officials were killed in attacks linked to the United States and Israel.

In response, Tehran has also initiated counterattacks. It is reported that Iran continues its operations, targeting US military bases and targets related to Israel in the region.