A member of Iran's Assembly of Experts, tasked with choosing the new Supreme Leader, on Wednesday said that the Assembly is close to choosing a new Supreme Leader to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"The Supreme Leader will be identified at the closest opportunity. We are close to a conclusion; however, the situation in the country is a war situation," State TV quoted Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami as saying.

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Iran Govt Denies Reports Of Mojtaba's Appointment As Supreme Leader

The Iranian Government, via the Consulate General in Mumbai, on Wednesday denied reports from Israeli media claiming that Mojtaba Khamenei has been chosen as the successor to his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling the circulating stories inaccurate.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the consulate said, "Reports circulating on media regarding potential candidates for leadership selected by Iran's Assembly of Experts have no official source and are officially denied.

Khamenei's Funeral

According to reports by Iran's state media, Iranians are expected to bid farewell to the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at a ceremony scheduled for tonight at Tehran's Imam Khomeini prayer ground, where a three-day farewell event will be held.

Israel Puts Iran's New Supreme Leader On 'Assassination Notice'

Even before the funeral of assassinated Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei takes place, Israel on Wednesday said that any successor would be considered the next target for assassination.

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Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel would assassinate whoever is appointed to replace the 86-year-old Shia cleric.

In a post on X, Katz said, "Any leader selected by the Iranian terror regime to continue leading the plan for Israel's destruction, threatening the United States, the free world and countries in the region, and suppressing the Iranian people, will be a certain target for assassination, no matter his name or where he hides."