Oh my, it’s finally happening.  After years of denial of poor health and cancer, the Supreme Leader Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prepares for his departure.  But note that he gave power to his son and not another clerical figure. “Iranian journalist Mohamad Ahwaze reported the major political move on Twitter, citing sources in the country. Writing in Arabic, Ahwaze said Khamenei had handed power over to his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.”  The Assembly of Experts, supposedly charged with overseeing the Supreme Leader and selecting his successor, is not mentioned in this article.  It has been rumored that they were slowing considering replacement options for Khamenei but none of the open sources said what Khamenei or the Assembly would do if the Leader were incapacitated.  See “Iran’s Supreme Leader Transfers Power to Son as Health Deteriorates,” Darragh Roche, Newsweek, December 5, 2020.

“Iran Supreme Court To Retry Three Men Sentenced To Death Over 2019 Protests,” RFE/RL, December 5, 2020.