Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says “nobody knows” who will be next supreme leader amid reports that the body responsible has selected a replacement for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, APA reports.
Speaking on NBC’s “Meet The Press” on Sunday, Araghchi said, “There are lots of rumors around, but we have to wait for the Assembly of Experts to convene and vote for the new Supreme Leader.”
The Assembly is an 88-member body of senior clerics that selects Iran’s Supreme Leader. Its members are elected by Iranian voters.
Araghchi said that until the assembly convenes, the interim leadership council is in charge, and all Iranian institutions are carrying out their work. Some observers say that a new leader can’t be appointed until the assembly meets in person.
Araghchi was also asked about US President Donald Trump’s assertion that he must have a say in the election of new leadership for Iran.
“We allow nobody to interfere in our domestic affairs. This is up to the Iranian people,” he said. “It is only the business of the Iranian people.”
Nor would Iran accept Trump’s demand for unconditional surrender, he said.
He said that in June last year, Iran had accepted a ceasefire, but this time there needed to be a permanent end to the war.
“No one wants to continue this war,” Araghchi said, adding that Iran will continue to act in self-defense.
He insisted Iran was not attacking its neighbors but rather US facilities and installations in Gulf Arab countries.
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