The official announcement meeting of Iran's Assembly of Experts will be held online on Thursday. At least eight experts are absent in protest of hereditary rule, while the Revolutionary Guards continue to lobby opposition groups. They claim that establishing a new leader promptly is essential for stabilizing the situation, but the internal crisis remains difficult to conceal.
According to reports from Iran International Television, the Assembly of Experts in Iran is convening an emergency meeting on Thursday to officially announce Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader, as the new Supreme Leader. This decision faces opposition from some members who warn it could lead to the risk of 'hereditary rule.'
Two days ago, Iran International Television reported that under pressure from the Revolutionary Guards, the Assembly of Experts had selected Mojtaba Khamenei as the next Supreme Leader.
Two sources from the office of the Assembly of Experts told Iran International Television that at least eight members will not attend Thursday's emergency meeting in protest of what they described as the 'enormous pressure' exerted by the Revolutionary Guards to force the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei.
The first emergency meeting of this clerical body to select a successor for Ali Khamenei was held on Tuesday but ended prematurely due to Israeli airstrikes targeting the Assembly of Experts building in Qom.
Sources indicate that Thursday’s meeting will be held online, with the command center located in a building near the Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom. Some representatives residing in Qom and members of the leadership of the Assembly of Experts may attend in person.
Core Arguments Against Mojtaba
Sources informed Iran International Television that a group of opponents contacted the chairman and leadership members of the Assembly of Experts on Wednesday, warning that the announcement of Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader might raise public concerns about the leadership moving towards hereditary succession and the Islamic Republic inching closer to a monarchy.
One member of the Assembly of Experts stated during a call with the chairman and leadership that the former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, did not support his son succeeding him and never allowed such discussions during his lifetime.
Sources added that other members believe Mojtaba Khamenei lacks a publicly recognized clerical or jurisprudential standing, thus his selection as the highest-ranking jurist lacks religious legitimacy.
These representatives have called for Mojtaba Khamenei to withdraw and for a re-vote to be conducted during Thursday’s meeting.
Some opponents also indicated that if Mojtaba Khamenei does not withdraw, they may deem the selection process invalid. This move could exacerbate divisions within the ruling class and intensify the legitimacy crisis of the Islamic Republic.
Tensions during the first Assembly of Experts meeting
On Tuesday, the first meeting to select a successor for Ali Khamenei was held secretly online after the historic Parliament Building in Tehran, the traditional venue for the Assembly of Experts composed of 88 senior clerics, was bombed on Monday.
Information obtained by Iran International TV revealed that from early Tuesday morning, Revolutionary Guard commanders in various cities pressured members of the Assembly of Experts through face-to-face meetings and phone calls to vote in favor of Mojtaba Khamenei.
Sources stated that repeated contacts, psychological and political pressure on representatives continued until minutes before the start of the online meeting, creating an "unnatural" atmosphere within the session. The leadership of the Assembly of Experts insisted on completing the voting quickly, citing national security concerns.
Several members opposing Mojtaba Khamenei were only given limited time to express their views, but the leadership proceeded with the vote, interrupting further discussion.
A source close to one representative of the Assembly of Experts stated that the initial atmosphere of the meeting was tense due to pressure from the Revolutionary Guard, but more representatives might have voiced opposition if given additional time.
Sources indicated that shortly after voting ended and before the vote counting was completed, the Qom Assembly of Experts building, which oversaw the online meeting, was struck by an Israeli airstrike, causing communication disruptions.
Hours later, members were informed via phone calls that Mojtaba Khamenei had been elected Supreme Leader by a majority vote.
Legitimacy disputes and ongoing pressure
After the results were communicated to members, concerns about the legality of the procedures arose during discussions with the chair of the expert panel and some members of the leadership.
The leadership subsequently decided to postpone the official announcement until the second meeting.
The second meeting is scheduled to be held online on Thursday, with command operations located near the Fatima Masumeh Shrine. Sources indicated that this location was chosen due to its religious significance, which could reduce the likelihood of airstrikes in the event of exposure.
Information obtained by Iran International TV also revealed that the Revolutionary Guard continues its coercive pressure to persuade representatives of the opposition.
Sources stated that commanders of the Revolutionary Guard directly contacted and lobbied members to discourage them from boycotting the meeting or publicly expressing dissent.
The Revolutionary Guard emphasized that, given the country’s 'special circumstances' and the ongoing security situation, it is imperative to announce the new leader as soon as possible, as any delay could exacerbate instability and deepen the decision-making vacuum at the top levels of the system.
Editor/joryn
