Iranian Clerics Near Naming New Leader as Smoke Chokes Tehran After Oil Depot Strikes

 As the U.S.–Israel military campaign against Iran enters its second week, Iranian clerical authorities are reportedly nearing a decision on a new supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a U.S.‑Israeli strike.

The clerical body responsible for the transition, the Assembly of Experts, has reportedly chosen a successor, though the name has not yet been officially announced.

The move comes amid widespread smoke and fires over Tehran, triggered by ongoing airstrikes on oil storage facilities near the Iranian capital. These strikes have produced thick black smoke that blankets the city’s skyline and raised concerns about environmental and public health impacts.

The Assembly of Experts has reportedly reached consensus on a replacement according to multiple reports, with Mojtaba Khamenei, the influential son of the late leader, widely seen as the leading candidate for the post. However, official confirmation is still pending.

The selection process continues under heightened military pressure, with strikes from U.S. and Israeli forces targeting strategic infrastructure, including fuel depots, as Iran retaliates.

Iranian officials and clerics have stressed the importance of choosing a leader who will uphold the country’s ideological stance and resist foreign influence, even as smoke from damaged oil facilities continues to affect daily life in Tehran.

The developing situation reflects both internal political transition and ongoing external military confrontation, underscoring the deep uncertainty gripping Iran as it moves toward naming its next supreme leader.