Cleric says Iran’s next leader has been chosen

Ahmad Alamolhoda, Friday prayer leader of Mashhad, said the vote on Iran’s next leader has already taken place and a new leader has been selected.

He said reports suggesting the Assembly of Experts had not yet reached a decision were “completely false” and added that, under the constitution, no one – including members of the Assembly – has the right to change that decision.

Alamolhoda said the matter now rests with Ayatollah Hosseini Bushehri, the official responsible for the Assembly’s secretariat, who he said is tasked with conveying and publicly announcing the body’s decision.