Iran picks Khamenei's replacement in secret as conflict with Israel and US enters ninth brutal day

TEHRAN, IRAN: Iranian officials say that the country’s clerical leadership body has chosen a successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli strike last week.

The decision was reportedly made during a meeting of the Assembly of Experts, though the identity of the selected candidate has not been publicly disclosed.

The development comes on Sunday, March 8, as the war involving Iran, Israel and the United States enters its ninth day. Military strikes across the region have continued during the conflict, with both sides targeting strategic infrastructure and military positions.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's successor has not been named

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has decided who will replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the country’s supreme leader, according to Iranian officials.

Ahmad Alamolhoda, a member of the clerical body responsible for appointing the supreme leader, said the selection was made following a vote within the assembly. However, he did not reveal the name of the individual chosen.

Iranian state media also reported that a majority of the Assembly of Experts members had agreed on a candidate.

According to the reports, the decision has been passed to the leadership board of the assembly, which oversees the process before any public announcement is made.

Ayatollah Amireza Hodayi said earlier that most members had already reached consensus on one option and had submitted the decision to the board for further action. 

Despite the reported selection, disagreements remained within the assembly about how and when to announce the new leader publicly.

Israel threatens those choosing Khamenei's successor

The announcement has also been complicated by security concerns. The Israeli military warned that it would pursue anyone involved in appointing a successor to Khamenei.

In a statement posted in Farsi on X, Israel said it would continue to target individuals linked to the leadership transition.

“We want to tell you that the hand of the State of Israel will continue to pursue any successor and anyone who seeks to appoint a successor,” the statement said.

The Israeli military also warned the people involved in the process not to attend the meeting where the successor might be finalized.

“We warn everyone who plans to attend the successor selection meeting that we will not hesitate to target you as well,” it said. “This is a warning!”

Regional strikes intensify as Iran vows stronger response

The leadership transition comes as military operations continue across the Middle East.

Israel carried out strikes on southern Lebanon, Beirut and oil storage facilities in Tehran over the weekend. The attack on Tehran’s oil storage sites appeared to mark the first time a civilian industrial facility had been targeted during the conflict.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would continue responding to attacks by the United States and Israel.

“When we are attacked, we have no choice but to respond. The more pressure they impose on us, the stronger our response will naturally be,” Pezeshkian said in video remarks released on Sunday.

“Our Iran, our country, will not bow easily,” he added.

Pezeshkian also said Iran was not seeking conflict with neighboring Arab states, many of which hosted US military bases.

“They are our brothers,” he said, while accusing the United States of trying to divide countries in the region.