Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's health reported as "extremely critical": Iran finds successor
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is reported to be in extremely critical condition, according to multiple sources.
The 83-year-old leader has been battling cancer for several years and has been hospitalized on several occasions in recent months.
Khamenei's health has been a closely guarded secret, but it is believed that he has been suffering from prostate cancer. In recent weeks, his condition has reportedly deteriorated rapidly.
The Iranian government has not confirmed Khamenei's condition, but it has announced that a meeting of the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for choosing the next Supreme Leader, will be held on July 21-23. (BBC)
The meeting comes amid speculation that Khamenei may be preparing to step down or may have already died. (Reuters)
If Khamenei were to die or step down, it would trigger a major power struggle in Iran. The Assembly of Experts would be responsible for choosing a new Supreme Leader, but there is no clear successor. (The Guardian)
Several candidates have been mentioned as possible successors, including:
- Ebrahim Raisi, the current President of Iran
- Ali Larijani, a former Speaker of the Parliament
- Mohammad Javad Zarif, the former Foreign Minister
However, it is unclear whether any of these candidates have the support of the Assembly of Experts. The Assembly is dominated by hardliners, who may prefer a more conservative candidate. (Al Jazeera)
The succession of Khamenei will be a watershed moment for Iran. The new Supreme Leader will have a major impact on the country's domestic and foreign policy. It is unclear who will succeed Khamenei, but it is clear that the power struggle will be intense.
