Following the assassination of long-reigning Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli attack, Iran's Assembly of Experts has largely decided on the country's next Supreme Leader. This body, composed of 88 high-ranking clerics, is tasked with filling the power vacuum left by Khamenei, who ruled with an iron fist for nearly four decades and died without an officially declared heir. Regarding the progress of deliberations, a member of the assembly, Ayatollah Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri, stated in a video published by the state-run Fars agency that "a decisive and overwhelming opinion has been formed, representing the vision of the majority." Despite this internal consensus, the name of the chosen one was not announced immediately due to the delicate geopolitical situation in the region. As Mirbagheri explained, "under these difficult circumstances, there are obstacles" and added that "this work must be carried out with care so that it is not subject to dispute." According to the Argentine News Agency, the regime's caution coincides with an aggressive stance from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which on Sunday warned they would attack the successor to the deceased leader and anyone who participates in the selection process. From the official account of the Israeli armed forces, it was communicated that after eliminating what they called the "tyrant Khamenei," the regime is trying to reorganize, but they assured that they will not allow it peacefully. "I want to emphasize that the long arm of the State of Israel will continue to pursue the successor and anyone who tries to appoint him," the IDF stated. The warning was a direct message to the clerics convening to define the political future of the Persian nation, indicating that the Israeli army will not hesitate to act against them: "We will not hesitate to attack you as well. Consider it a warning." In this way, the succession process in Tehran is marked by an imminent external military threat seeking to dismantle the country's command structure.
