How Iran's hard-liners aim to sideline traditionalist clerics - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Mahmoud Pargoo

Mahmoud Pargoo

May 3, 2019

A Muslim Shiite cleric walks past the house of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in the holy city of Qom, 130 kilometres south of Tehran on January 15, 2019. - In the religious capital of Iran, the Islamic revolution still holds a powerful sway even as once-unthinkable signs of modernity creep into the city of Qom to challenge the faithful. Qom, a couple of hours drive south of Tehran, is one of Shiite Islam's holiest sites, home to dozens of seminaries and many of its m — A Muslim Shiite cleric walks past the house of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in the holy city of Qom, Iran, Jan. 15, 2019. — ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images

In Iran, religious titles lie at heart of political games

Rohollah Faghihi

Rohollah Faghihi

Hassan Khomeini (C, in chair), 43, a grandson of Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, registers for February's election of the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body that chooses the supreme leader, at the Interior Ministry in Tehran December 18, 2015. REUTERS/TIMA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RTX1Z8MD

Hard-liners take aim at Khomeini's grandson

Rohollah Faghihi

Rohollah Faghihi

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

Hassan Khomeini, grandson of Iran's late leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, waves as he speaks at a ceremony to mark the death anniversary of the Islamic Republic founder Ayatollah Khomeini at Khomeini's shrine in southern Tehran June 4, 2010. REUTERS/IIPA/Sajjad Safari (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS ANNIVERSARY) - RTR2ER21

Will Ayatollah Khomeini's grandson enter politics?

Arash Karami

Shi'ite Muslims pray at the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, Iraq April 3, 2018. Picture taken April 3, 2018. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani - RC12CE0E18E0

Students at Qom seminary are leaving for Najaf

Ali Mamouri