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Controversy in Iran Surrounding the Supervision of the Supreme Leader’s Performance | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Ali Khamenei and the new spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Hussain Jabiri Ansari at the weekly press conference in Tehran yesterday (AFP)


Ali Khamenei and the new spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Hussain Jabiri Ansari at the weekly press conference in Tehran yesterday (AFP)

Ali Khamenei and the new spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Hussain Jabiri Ansari at the weekly press conference in Tehran yesterday (AFP)

An unprecedented statement made by the former Iranian president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on Sunday about the need for the assembly of experts to supervise the performance of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the existence of a committee to examine potential candidates for the position of Supreme Leader sparked controversy.

The head of the Iranian judicial system Sadeq Larijani criticised Rafsanjani’s remarks saying that they were “without legal basis”. He added that “some are calling for the assembly of experts to supervise the leader. These people are in fact expressing their illegal wishes and aspirations”.

Rafsanjani’s statements that sparked outrage include the remark that “the assembly of experts is examining the situation and is preparing for when it decides to change the Supreme Leader or appoint his successor”.

Reza Haqeeqat Najad, an expert in Iranian internal affairs, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Rafsanjani’s remarks about the need to supervise the performance of the leader and Sadeq Larijani’s rapid response have created two blocs competing for the assembly of experts elections due to take place in February and “this is exactly what Rafsanjani wants”. He added that the “elections for the assembly of experts usually takes place in a non-political climate” and that the entry of Hassan Khomeini into the political arena and Hashemi Rafsanjani’s political movement increased the political sensitivity surrounding the assembly of experts elections. He also clarified that the “assembly of experts elections coincide with the parliamentary elections this year, and any political blocs can have an impact on the results of the other elections”.