Amid escalation, Iran religious scholars signal new leader to be named soon

"An almost decisive opinion has been reached. A significant majority has been formed, but at the same time, some obstacles have to be removed, which we hope will happen soon. The top figure in the Assembly of Experts emphasized that the choice had to be made with care so it would be indisputable internally."

"Among all attributes, the financial piety of the supreme leader is of primary importance because, given the important powers and responsibilities of leadership, if financial deviation occurs, it will spread to all other matters. The Guardian Council member highlighted that Khamenei pointed to rooted belief in the fundamentals of the Islamic revolution, having insight and knowledge of enemies and sedition."

"The leader has been chosen and the secretariat of the Assembly of Experts must soon announce the result. Ahmad Alamolhoda, the top ultraconservative Muslim leader representing Mashhad, indicated the selection process was nearing its public announcement phase."

Following Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death on February 28, Iran's 88-member Assembly of Experts is moving toward announcing a new supreme leader. Senior religious officials indicate that a significant majority has formed around a candidate, though some procedural obstacles remain. The Guardian Council was not provided specific names by Khamenei during his lifetime, only leadership attributes to consider. Key qualifications for the new leader include financial piety, rooted belief in Islamic revolution fundamentals, knowledge of enemies and sedition, and other essential characteristics. The selection process involves both hardline and reformist factions deliberating their positions amid escalating U.S.-Israeli tensions with Iran.

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