Iran urged to elect new supreme leader amid strikes

Prominent Iranian clerics are urging the rapid selection of a new Supreme Leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week.

Prominent Iranian clerics are urging the rapid selection of a new Supreme Leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week.

Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi called on the Assembly of Experts to act swiftly, saying that prompt leadership would strengthen national authority and ensure proper governance. Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani and Ayatollah Abdolkarim Abedini echoed the call, warning that delays or missteps in the selection process would carry widespread blame. Jamileh Alamolhoda, widow of former President Ibrahim Raisi, also emphasized the need to act quickly to prevent division within the country.

The Assembly of Experts, a panel of 88 clerics responsible for electing the Supreme Leader, may have been disrupted due to ongoing U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. Analysts have identified Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, as a potential successor, though he has not been publicly heard from since the attacks began. The Assembly’s headquarters in Qom reportedly sustained heavy damage last week.

Until a new Supreme Leader is appointed, a temporary three-man council—comprising the President, the head of the judiciary, and a cleric nominated by the Assembly—is managing the daily affairs of the government.

Meanwhile, residents in Tehran and Esfahan reported intense overnight bombardments. Iranian state media reported that Israel targeted Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, though the extent of damage remains unclear. Residents described explosions shaking homes and widespread anxiety, while critical facilities in Esfahan, including sites tied to Iran’s nuclear program, were also struck.

U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a further escalation of military action against Iran. In a post on Truth Social, he warned that areas and groups previously spared could now be targeted, claiming that Iranian leadership had “surrendered” to neighboring countries due to U.S. and Israeli operations. Trump described Iran as “the loser of the Middle East” and stated that the country would face heavy attacks.

The ongoing strikes and leadership uncertainty have left Iran navigating a critical period, with both internal stability and external pressures at unprecedented levels. Civilian populations in targeted cities report physical and psychological distress, while the government works to maintain order amid the crisis.