The
announcement, released by the Assembly of Experts on Monday, follows the
"martyrdom" of the previous Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Imam Khamenei,
and other officials, including those from the armed forces and a school in
Minab, attributing the attacks to "criminal America and the wicked Zionist
regime."
Despite the
"critical wartime conditions" and "direct threats from
enemies," including the bombing of the Assembly's secretarial offices
which resulted in casualties, the Assembly stated it did not delay in selecting
and introducing a new leader. The body convened an extraordinary session to
fulfill its constitutional and internal regulations duties, ensuring the
country would not face a leadership vacuum, circumventing the need for a
temporary council as stipulated in Article 111 of the constitution.
The Assembly
of Experts, honoring the position of Wilayat al-Faqih (Guardianship of the
Jurist) in the absence of the Hidden Imam, and emphasizing the significance of
leadership in the Islamic Republic, acknowledged the "47 years of wise
rule based on the principle of dignity, independence, and power of the two
Imams of the Revolution."
After
extensive deliberations and utilizing the provisions of Article 108 of the
constitution, the Assembly announced that Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini
Khamenei (may his protection continue) was appointed and introduced as the
third Supreme Leader based on a decisive vote from the representatives.
The statement
concluded by thanking the members of the temporary council established under
Article 111 of the constitution and calling upon the entire nation of Iran,
particularly elites from theological and academic circles, to pledge allegiance
to the new leadership and maintain unity around the axis of the Velayat
(Guardianship). It also prayed for the continued divine favor upon the country
and its people.