TEHRAN: The grandson of the founder of Iran’s Islamic Republic has been barred from running for a top clerical body, his family said Tuesday, as the country prepares for crucial elections next month.
The decision to bar Hassan Khomeini, who has close ties to reformists, likely serves as push-back against anyone proposing changes to Iran’s clerical government after the nuclear deal with world powers negotiated by the administration of moderate President Hassan Rouhani.
Khomeini had planned to stand in the Assembly of Experts election, which will be held the same day as the Iran’s parliamentary election in which moderates hope to make gains. The 86-member cleric body is elected by the public to eight-year terms.
The Assembly of Experts serves a function similar to that of the Vatican’s College of Cardinals, and will someday have to pick a successor to the 76-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It also can directly challenge the supreme leader’s rule, something it has never done before.
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei became the country’s first supreme leader after leading Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The decision to bar Hassan Khomeini, who has close ties to reformists, likely serves as push-back against anyone proposing changes to Iran’s clerical government after the nuclear deal with world powers negotiated by the administration of moderate President Hassan Rouhani.
Khomeini had planned to stand in the Assembly of Experts election, which will be held the same day as the Iran’s parliamentary election in which moderates hope to make gains. The 86-member cleric body is elected by the public to eight-year terms.
The Assembly of Experts serves a function similar to that of the Vatican’s College of Cardinals, and will someday have to pick a successor to the 76-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It also can directly challenge the supreme leader’s rule, something it has never done before.
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei became the country’s first supreme leader after leading Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
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