Controversy Rising on Khamenei’s Successor in IranADIL ALSALMI
London- Ongoing dispute on who will run for the third Supreme Leader has been razing through the corners of the Iranian decision-making body for months now.
The controversy on who would succeed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei first sparked in light of his deteriorating health. According to “Majalla” reports, which Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper publishes parts of, debate lately went public and was a highlight in Khamenei’s recent speeches.
Referring to Kamenei’s speech at which he emphasized the necessity of the next Supreme Leader to be “revolutionary”, the Tehran Friday preacher and cleric Ahmad Jannati said that the Assembly of Experts has to arrive to a revolutionary decision.
Jannati’s undertone pointed out to the requirement of moving towards electing a successor to Supreme Leadership. Iranian politicians, prior the February General Assembly elections, had participated in open discussions on the name which would fill the post.
Observers keeping an eye on future Iranian supreme leadership developments assume that Khamenei’s underlining the aspect “revolutionary” as a characteristic to his successor validates two assumptions; one, Khamenei wishes to push forward for electing his successor while he is still alive, and perhaps he would play a personal role in who would be chosen; two, rumors on Khamenei suffering from cancer and his nearing death are true.
Many names are being proposed for candidacy, the most prominent of them include Mojtaba Khamenei, son of current Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei; Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the first ever Iranian Supreme Leader and president of all institutions belonging to the Khomeini family; Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, born in Najaf, Iraq; Sadeq Larijani, Head of Iranian Judicial Authorities; and the current Iranian President Hassan Ruohani.
