TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Iran has delayed electing the successor of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, citing security reasons, as reported by the New York Times, citing sources, Antara reported.
According to the newspaper on Thursday, the delay is related to concerns for the safety of the late Ayatollah's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, amidst increasing information in Tehran's media that Mojtaba would succeed his father.
In addition, Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated on Wednesday that the new leader of Iran would be a "clear target for elimination" by the Israeli military.
Prior to this, the Assembly of Experts of Iran had scheduled an emergency session on Thursday to officially announce Mojtaba Khamenei, the late Supreme Leader's son, as the next leader, despite opposition from some members warning against "hereditary leadership," as reported by the opposition media Iran International.
This meeting took place two days after Iran International reported that the Assembly of Experts had elected Mojtaba Khamenei as the next Supreme Leader under pressure from the Revolutionary Guard.
Two sources from the Assembly's representative office told Iran International that at least eight members would not attend the emergency session on Thursday in protest against what they described as "heavy pressure" from the Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) to impose Mojtaba Khamenei.
The first emergency meeting of the clerical body to select a replacement for Ali Khamenei was held on Tuesday but ended prematurely after an Israeli airstrike targeted the Assembly building in the city of Qom.
According to sources, the Thursday meeting was held online and managed from a building near the Fatima Masumeh shrine in Qom. Some representatives and members of the Assembly's leadership council residing in Qom may attend in person.
Arguments from Mojtaba's Opponents
Sources informed Iran International that a group of people contacted the head of the Assembly and its leadership council on Wednesday, warning that the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the leader could raise public concerns about hereditary leadership, making the Islamic Republic resemble a monarchy.
“Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was not pleased with the idea of his son’s leadership and never allowed this issue to be raised during his lifetime,” said a member of the Assembly to the head and members of the body's leadership council in a phone call, according to the sources.
Another member argued that Mojtaba Khamenei “does not have an established, public clerical and jurisprudential standing,” and for this reason, his selection as the Supreme Jurisconsult (Vali-ye Faqih) would lack religious legitimacy, the sources added.
These representatives called for Mojtaba Khamenei to resign and for a new vote to be held at Thursday's session.
Some opposition parties also hinted that if Mojtaba Khamenei does not resign, they may consider the selection process "invalid," a move that could deepen divisions within the government and worsen the legitimacy crisis of the Islamic Republic.
The United States and Israel have begun a series of attacks targeting Iranian territories since Saturday, including Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties.
The attacks also resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as confirmed by state media.
Iran later retaliated by targeting Israeli territories and a number of US military facilities in the Middle East.
Read: U.S. Military Bases in the Middle East: Which Ones Were Targeted by Iran?
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