Iran close to choosing next supreme leader, says state media

Iran's Assembly of Experts is nearing a decision on who will be the next supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's long-time ruler, in a US-Israeli attack. Ayatollah Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri, a member of the assembly, shared this in a video released by the Fars News Agency, which is linked to the Iranian state. While a specific name has not been revealed, Mirbagheri stated that "a decisive and overwhelming opinion - which represents the majority view - has been formed." He added that there are challenges in the current situation and emphasized the importance of careful decision-making to avoid disputes. Khamenei ruled for nearly forty years without naming a successor, leaving the choice of the next leader to the clerical regime. The Assembly of Experts, made up of 88 elected senior clerics, will be responsible for selecting the next supreme leader.