Conservative Iranian clerics have called for the swift appointment of a new supreme leader to head the Islamic Republic, according to reports in Iranian media on Saturday. These calls come as the country grapples with a wave of US and Israeli airstrikes and a major political crisis following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Since his death, power has been temporarily exercised by a council of three leaders tasked with ensuring the continuity of the state. However, some influential members of the clergy appear reluctant to relinquish authority to this provisional leadership and desire a swift return to a traditional power structure centered on a single supreme leader.
According to Iranian media, Ayatollah Hossein Mozafari, one of the 88 members of the Assembly of Experts—the religious body responsible for appointing the Supreme Leader—stated that the institution could convene within 24 hours to discuss the succession. It was not immediately clear whether the meeting would be held in person or remotely, as some consultations had already taken place online.
These calls for a swift decision were reinforced by several influential religious figures. Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, in particular, stated that a rapid appointment was necessary in order to "better organize the affairs of the country" in the context of the crisis.
The question of succession arises at a time when tensions with the United States have further increased. The American president Donald Trump stated that Washington should play a role in choosing Iran's next leader, a proposal immediately rejected by Tehran.
At the same time, some Shiite religious authorities have issued fatwas calling on the faithful to mobilize against foreign attacks. These calls reflect the climate of intense political and religious mobilization currently prevailing in Iran, as the country navigates one of the most critical periods in its recent history.
