Ya Libnan

Iran’s army chief slams the idea of replacing Khamenei by a council of leaders

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Major General Hassan Firouzabadi
Major General Hassan Firouzabadi
The head of Iran’s armed forces on Friday strongly attacked suggestions that Iran’s supreme leader could be succeeded by a council, and warned of “plots” against the country’s unity.

Registration opened on Thursday for February’s election of the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body that appoints the supreme leader.

The assembly has the right to replace the supreme leader – currently Ayatollah Khamenei – but in practice no one expects that to happen. Most speculation is about how it would arrange the succession after Khamenei’s death.

Last week Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, former president and influential member of the Assembly of Experts, said it would consider choosing a council of leaders, instead of a single ayatollah who rules for life.

“We never had council of leaders in history or a council that commands the army,” said Hassan Firouzabadi, chief of staff of the armed forces, in a statement published by the Fars news agency.

“All the plots have failed, now they have resorted to the new trick of a council of leaders … to undermine our progressive and stable leadership,” he added.

“If the leadership becomes a council the country would suffer,” he said. “And our strong unity against America, Zionists and imperial enemies would collapse.”

In this file photo, General Hassan Firouzabadi (left), chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, is shown alongside Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran
In this file photo, General Hassan Firouzabadi (left), chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, is shown alongside Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran
The supreme leader is commander-in-chief of the armed forces and appoints the heads of the judiciary. Key ministers are selected with his agreement and he has the ultimate say on Iran’s foreign policy and nuclear program. By comparison, the president has little power.

Moderate President Hassan Rouhani and his powerful ally, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, are hoping to cash in on the popularity they gained by reaching a nuclear deal with world powers, and win a majority in the assembly.

Ayatollah Khamenei is 76, so the next assembly of 88 elected clerics may play a crucial role in choosing his successor since its members are only elected every eight years.

In recent years some members of the assembly have privately called for changes to the leadership model, suggesting Khamenei’s successor could serve for a fixed term rather than for life, and that a council of leaders could fill the position.

Khamenei has dismissed all talk of reform as long as he is supreme leader.

REUTERS

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11 responses to “Iran’s army chief slams the idea of replacing Khamenei by a council of leaders”

  1. 5thDrawer Avatar
    5thDrawer

    “Assembly of Experts” … As with The ‘tops’ of all the religions, the sages of theories gathered together to proclaim themselves the ‘Scholars of their own choosing’, who will in turn choose the ‘Supreme Top’ – almost in a ‘sort-of-democratic’ way, but in secret … and thereafter refuse democracy to ‘Their People’.

  2. Rudy1947 Avatar
    Rudy1947

    Fear not General, you can always have a coup.

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      But not until the ‘No Reform Until I’m Gone’ guy goes. Believers would be upset.

      1. Christina Metron Avatar
        Christina Metron

        hey the 5th columnist ZioVermin commander is here. what gives you Ziovermin idiot hasbarat commander. I am here now, so you ZioVermin better pack up and go comment on the J Post, this is no place for ZioVermin baby killers. I just shipped a stake knife shipment to Palestine, hope you enjoy a couple of stabbings courtesy of Me.

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          (steak ….)

    2. Rascal Avatar
      Rascal

      I think the fat General would rather have a cheeseburger. Look at the size of him. I am sure he would have a heart attack if he attempted anything physical.

      1. Y K Avatar
        Y K

        Gotta love the rings, though. They look perfect on his sausage fingers. Must also be quite handy if you have an urgent need to break the teeth of some “Ziovermin” prisoner. Or just an Iranian batman (without the captal “B”), for serving the tea too hot. 🙂

    3. Christina Metron Avatar
      Christina Metron

      I see you Ziovermin are everywhere huh. You must be a devoted hasbara scumbag of the first degree.

  3. Christina Metron Avatar
    Christina Metron

    The ZioVermin have taken over this page, we will not allow it. ZioVermin scumbags need to be put in their vermin place.

  4. Matrix Avatar
    Matrix

    Major General Hassan Firouzabadi prefer the one leadership idea, expecting to be the one on the topp….

  5. Aimadigithat Avatar
    Aimadigithat

    OMG, look at the face of Hassan Firouzabadi.
    Do these folks have any level ?

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