Iran said on Wednesday (March 4, 2026) it was trying to swiftly appoint a new supreme leader after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes on the weekend. "We are all trying," said Ahmad Khatami, a member of the Assembly of Experts for Leadership which is responsible for selecting a new leader. Iran-Israel war updates on March 4, 2026"God willing, the leader will be appointed at the earliest opportunity. Mr. Khatami said "discretion is necessary" given this threat, adding that the election of a new Supreme Leader was "imminent". Iran officially began transitioning leadership on Sunday (March 1, 2026), a day after the death of Khamenei, who had led Iran since 1989.

Source: The Hindu March 04, 2026 11:20 UTC