'Most Suitable Candidate' Selected As Iran's Supreme Leader After Khamenei's Assassination

Tehran: The clerical body tasked with choosing Iran's next Supreme Leader has reached a decision, eight days following the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli airstrikes. Members of the selection body stated that the vote to appoint the successor of Khamenei has taken place and the leader has been chosen.

According to a report by AFP, Mohsen Heydari, a panel member, said:

"The most suitable candidate, approved by the majority of the Assembly of Experts, has been determined.”

While the name of the successor has not been announced yet, members of the selection body told Iranian media that the announcement will be made “as soon as possible”.

Mojtaba Khamenei

One of the members of the panel reportedly hinted that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's son Mojtaba Khamenei could be next Supreme Leader of Iran. Mojtaba has been seen as the contender to the post even before the assassination of his father.

"The name of Khamenei will continue," said Ayatollah Hosseinali Eshkevari.

‘I've To Be Involved In Supremo's Appointment': Trump

Earlier, US President Donald Trump had stated that he needs to get personally involved in selecting the next Supreme Leader of Iran.

Amid reports of Khamenei's son Mojtaba Khamenei being touted for the post by Iranian leaders, Trump said that Mojtaba is “lightweight”. He added, “Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”

‘Will Target The Successor’: Israel

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has issued a warning that it will target every successor appointed by Iran.

"We want to tell you that the hand of the State of Israel will continue to pursue every successor and every person who seeks to appoint a successor," IDF said, adding that individuals attending meetings to choose a new leader would also be considered a legitimate target. "We warn all those who intend to participate in the successor selection meeting that we will not hesitate to target you, either. This is a warning!" it said in a social media post.

Israel-Iran War

The United States of America and Israel launched joint airstrikes on Iran on February 28 in a massive military operation, codenamed ‘Operation Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Operation Roaring Lion’ by Israel. Iran retaliated and launched attacks on US military bases located in different countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Iran codenamed its retaliation 'Operation True Promise IV'.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said, “This operation against the positions of American-Zionist terrorists in the heart of the occupied territories and American terrorist bases began with massive explosions under the blessed code name 'Ya Hassan ibn Ali (peace be upon him)'.”

The war has entered its ninth day today (March 8).

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