Mojtaba Khamenei secures nearly 85% support in Assembly of Experts vote

Ayatollah Mohsen Heidari told state television that a meeting of Iran’s Assembly of Experts held on Sunday in Qom was attended by over two-thirds of the council’s 88 members, meeting the quorum required for a vote, Iran International reports.

Heidari noted that some council members were not informed of the meeting and could not attend, even though they were in Qom. He added that Mojtaba Khamenei received almost 85% of the votes of those present.

The Assembly of Experts — a religious body of 88 members elected for eight-year terms — is constitutionally responsible for appointing Iran’s Supreme Leader and overseeing his performance. Decisions require the presence of at least two-thirds of the council members.

If these figures are accurate, at least 59 members attended, with around 50 or more voting for Khamenei.

Sources familiar with the discussions previously told Iran International that several members of the Assembly had expressed concerns over Khamenei’s appointment, warning that selecting the son of the late Supreme Leader could reinforce perceptions of hereditary succession in the Islamic Republic.