Iranian officials mourn powerful cleric - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Mehdi Jedinia

Mehdi Jedinia

Oct 21, 2014

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to film or take pictures in Tehran.

Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi-Kani attends a conference in Tehran, in this file photo dated August 14, 2008. Arch hardliner Mahdavi-Kani was elected and confirmed as head of Iran's Assembly of Experts on March 8, 2011. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/Files (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR2JNIK — Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani attends a conference in Tehran, Aug. 14, 2008. — REUTERS/Raheb Homavand

Iranian clerics attend a meeting of Iran's Assembly of Experts in Tehran on March 5, 2013. Iran's Assembly of Experts is an 86-seat body that selects the supreme leader and supervises his activities and holds sessions twice a year. AFP PHOTO/ ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Iran cleric warns of takeover attempt on Assembly of Experts

Arash Karami

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.

Ayatollah Mohammad-Taqi Mesbah Yazdi listens to the opening speech during the Assembly of Experts' biannual meeting in Tehran September 14, 2010. REUTERS/Caren Firouz (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION) - RTR2IB57

Mahdavi Kani's death leaves room for hard-liners to expand

Arash Karami

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to film or take pictures in Tehran.

Iranian Judiciary Chief Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi speaks as Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani (top) watches during President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's swearing-in ceremony in Tehran August 5, 2009. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN POLITICS) - RTR26F4N

Shahroudi seen as likely candidate to head Assembly of Experts

Arash Karami

Senior Iranian Officials (L to R) Chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, Hasan Khomeini, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, parliament Speaker Gholamali Haddadadel, Judiciary chief Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi and former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani listen to a speech by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the anniversary of the death of the Late Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Tehran, June 4, 2006. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN) - RTR1E2OI

Who will be Iran's next supreme leader?

Behdad Bordbar