Iran holds election for new Supreme Leader following Ali Khamenei's death

Tehran (ANTARA) — Iran’s National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani confirmed that the Assembly of Experts will convene on Sunday and commence the process of selecting a new Supreme Leader of Iran to replace the deceased Ali Khamenei.

“Under Article 111 of Iran’s Constitution, in the event of the death of the Supreme Leader, the Assembly of Experts must elect a new Supreme Leader as soon as possible,” Larijani said, as broadcast by Iran’s national television.

“The Assembly of Experts will meet today and the process will begin,” he added.

On Saturday morning (28 February) local time, the United States and Zionist Israel launched a series of attacks against Iran, including the capital Tehran, resulting in infrastructure damage and civilian casualties.

Iran subsequently launched retaliatory missile strikes against Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East.

On Sunday, Iran’s national television confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was martyred as a result of the US-Israeli missile attacks.

Regarding the retaliatory strikes, Larijani confirmed that Iran has no intention of attacking neighbouring countries in the Middle East region, but that Tehran intended only to strike US military bases, which are not part of their territory.