The Assembly of Experts Appoints New Leader of the Islamic Revolution

The General Secretariat of the Assembly of Experts issued the following statement via the "Eitaa" application: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. To the honorable and free Iranian people, peace and blessings of Allah be upon you. The Assembly of Experts extends its deepest condolences on the martyrdom of the Great Leader, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei (may Allah sanctify his soul), as well as the other noble martyrs, particularly the brave and self-sacrificing commanders of the Armed Forces and the students of the "Shajareh Tayyiba" school in the city of Minab. The Assembly also strongly condemns the brutal aggression launched by the criminal United States and the malicious Zionist entity. The Assembly informs the public that immediately following the news of the martyrdom and ascension of the wise Leader of the Islamic Revolution—and despite critical wartime conditions, direct threats from enemies against this popular institution, and the bombing of the Assembly’s General Secretariat offices which resulted in the martyrdom of several staff members and security personnel—the Assembly did not pause for a moment in pursuing the process of selecting and appointing a leader for the Islamic system. Based on the responsibilities stipulated in the Constitution and the Assembly's internal regulations, necessary measures were taken to hold an extraordinary meeting to appoint the new Leader. Coordination was also carried out to gather Assembly representatives stationed across the country to ensure the nation faced no leadership vacuum, despite the constitutional arrangements in Article 111 for the formation of a temporary leadership council. The Assembly, recognizing the high status of the principle of Wilayat al-Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist) during the era of the occultation of Imam Mahdi and the vital importance of leadership in the Islamic Republic, honors 47 years of wise governance based on the principles of dignity, independence, and authority embodied by the Leaders of the Revolution. Following precise and extensive deliberations, and based on the powers stipulated in Article 108 of the Constitution, religious duty, and a sense of responsibility before God Almighty, the Assembly announced in its extraordinary meeting today the appointment of Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei (may Allah protect him) as the third Leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, by an absolute majority of the Assembly members' votes. In conclusion, the Assembly expresses its gratitude to the members of the temporary leadership council stipulated in Article 111 of the Constitution. It calls upon all Iranians, especially the scientific and cultural elites in the seminaries and universities, to pledge allegiance to the new Leader and maintain unity and harmony around the axis of the Wilayah. We ask God Almighty for His continued grace and care for this country and its great people. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you. The Assembly of Experts 12/17/1404 (Solar Hijri)