On Tuesday, prominent Iranian clerics responsible for selecting the next Supreme Leader convened to discuss potential candidates. According to three Iranian officials conversing with The New York Times, the favored candidate appears to be Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the assassinated former leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The website Iran International has indicated that Mojtaba Khamenei may have already been elected, although these reports remain unconfirmed.

Unverified sources reported by Iran International claim that the Assembly of Experts met under pressure from the Revolutionary Guards and elected Mojtaba. Insiders speaking on the condition of anonymity noted that the clerics are considering appointing him as his father's successor as early as Wednesday morning. However, some clerics expressed concerns that this appointment could make him a target for the United States and Israel, highlighting the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding Iran's leadership and influence.

The Assembly of Experts, a body of clerics responsible for electing the Supreme Leader, reportedly held two virtual meetings to make their decision—a morning session and an evening one. The deliberations reflect the deep-seated struggles within Iran's political elite as they navigate external pressures and internal challenges, particularly as Iran's clerical establishment faces scrutiny over its legitimacy and the potential consequences of its choices on regional stability.