The hardline elements in Iran are getting restless and trying to get the successor of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed as early as possible. Two influential and hardline Iranian clerics have called for the quick selection of a new supreme leader to steer the nation amid relentless waves of US and Israeli strikes, Iranian media reported on Saturday.The calls of the two clerics reveal that the hardliners in the clerical establishment are not satisfied with the three-person Interim Leadership Council, comprising President Masoud Pezeshkian, Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, handling the command after the killing of Khamenei.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-to-ban-social-media-for-children-under-16-citizens-say-prohibit-porn-online-gambling-sites-too-1772818286678">Indonesia to ban social media for children under 16; citizens say prohibit porn, online gambling sites too</a>&nbsp;Naser Makarem Shirazi, a grand ayatollah, who commands a huge following for his religious rulings, said an appointment was needed swiftly to “help better organise the country’s affairs”.Last week, two senior Shi’ite religious authorities issued fatwas calling on Muslims around the world to avenge the killing of Khamenei. Makarem Shirazi said it was a ⁠religious duty for Muslims “until the evil of these criminals is eradicated from the world.”&nbsp;Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani also urged the Assembly of Experts (Majles-e Khobregan-e Rahbari), a body of 88 elected Islamic scholars (Mujtahids) that chooses the new leader, to accelerate the process of picking ⁠Khamenei’s successor.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-iran-using-decoys-to-fool-enemies-internet-says-israel-bombed-a-helicopter-painting-1772792063782">Is Iran using decoys to fool enemies? Internet says Israel bombed a helicopter painting</a>&nbsp;As per Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution, a three-man council comprising the president, a senior cleric, and the head of the judiciary has taken ⁠over the supreme leader’s role until a new leader is elected by the Assembly of Experts. The constitution states a supreme leader should be chosen within three months.&nbsp;&nbsp;As per sources, some clerics have held consultations online. The delay is also being ascribed to the fact that it is advisable to assemble all 88 Mujtahids at a place due to security threats amid massive US and Israeli strikes after Khamenei’s killing.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/surgeon-in-uk-guides-robot-to-perform-prostate-removal-surgery-in-gibraltar-1772811828146">Surgeon in UK guides robot to perform prostate removal surgery in Gibraltar</a>&nbsp;President Donald Trump has said ⁠that the US should have a role in choosing the new leader, a demand Iran has rejected.

Naser Makarem Shirazi, a grand ayatollah, said an appointment was needed swiftly to “help better organise the country’s affairs”. Last week, two senior Shi’ite religious authorities issued fatwas calling on Muslims around the world to avenge the killing of Khamenei.

The hardline elements in Iran are getting restless and trying to get the successor of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed as early as possible. Two influential and hardline Iranian clerics have called for the quick selection of a new supreme leader to steer the nation amid relentless waves of US and Israeli strikes, Iranian media reported on Saturday. The calls of the two clerics reveal that the hardliners in the clerical establishment are not satisfied with the three-person Interim Leadership Council, comprising President Masoud Pezeshkian, Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, handling the command after the killing of Khamenei. Also Read: Indonesia to ban social media for children under 16; citizens say prohibit porn, online gambling sites too Naser Makarem Shirazi, a grand ayatollah, who commands a huge following for his religious rulings, said an appointment was needed swiftly to “help better organise the country’s affairs”. Last week, two senior Shi’ite religious authorities issued fatwas calling on Muslims around the world to avenge the killing of Khamenei. Makarem Shirazi said it was a ⁠religious duty for Muslims “until the evil of these criminals is eradicated from the world.” Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani also urged the Assembly of Experts (Majles-e Khobregan-e Rahbari), a body of 88 elected Islamic scholars (Mujtahids) that chooses the new leader, to accelerate the process of picking ⁠Khamenei’s successor. Also Read: Is Iran using decoys to fool enemies? Internet says Israel bombed a helicopter painting As per Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution, a three-man council comprising the president, a senior cleric, and the head of the judiciary has taken ⁠over the supreme leader’s role until a new leader is elected by the Assembly of Experts. The constitution states a supreme leader should be chosen within three months. As per sources, some clerics have held consultations online. The delay is also being ascribed to the fact that it is advisable to assemble all 88 Mujtahids at a place due to security threats amid massive US and Israeli strikes after Khamenei’s killing. Also Read: Surgeon in UK guides robot to perform prostate removal surgery in Gibraltar President Donald Trump has said ⁠that the US should have a role in choosing the new leader, a demand Iran has rejected.

Naser Makarem Shirazi, a grand ayatollah, said an appointment was needed swiftly to “help better organise the country’s affairs”. Last week, two senior Shi’ite religious authorities issued fatwas calling on Muslims around the world to avenge the killing of Khamenei.

Iran’s hardline clerics get restless, demand quick naming of new supreme leader

Reports suggest the US could use AI to track Iran’s Supreme Leader. Following the AI-assisted tools like Project Maven can process radar data and intercepts to map secret underground bunker networks.

How can the US military use AI against Iran to capture Khamenei from his safe bunker?

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday called the French president's defence of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed a "stupid act" and an "insult" to those who voted for him. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/those-scoundrels-erdogan-vows-all-legal-and-diplomatic-action-against-charlie-hebdo-amid-anti-macron-wave-338600">Also read | 'Those scoundrels': Erdogan vows 'all legal and diplomatic' action against Charlie Hebdo amid anti-Macron wave</a> 
 
"Ask your president why he supports insulting God's messenger in the name of freedom of expression. Does freedom of expression mean insulting, especially a sacred personage?" Khamenei said in a message to "French youth" on his official website.

"Isn't this stupid act an insult to the reason of the people who elected him?" he added.

French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly defended secular values and the right to mock religion following the murder of a French schoolteacher who had shown his class cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

Macron's comments triggered protests and a call to boycott French goods in some Muslim-majority countries.

"The next question to ask is, 'why is it a crime to raise doubts about the holocaust?'" Khamenei said.

"Why should anyone who writes about such doubts be imprisoned, while insulting the Prophet, peace be upon him, is allowed?"

Khamenei's remarks follow a chorus of criticism directed at Macron by top Iranian officials, including President Hassan Rouhani, who warned on Wednesday that insulting the prophet is "immoral" and may encourage "violence and bloodshed".

Rouhani said, "the West should understand that... insulting the Prophet is insulting all Muslims, all prophets, all human values, and trampling ethics."

"Every single European is in debt to the prophet, as he was the teacher of humanity," he added.

'Shame on you, Macron'

Hundreds of protesters demonstrated near France's embassy in Tehran on Wednesday to condemn Macron's remarks.

Some protesters held banners reading, "shame on you Macron", while others burned pictures of the French leader.

Demonstrator Zeynab Yeganeh told AFP that Macron has shown his "wretchedness" by defending the cartoons, and said Europeans are being "oppressed" as the truth of Islam is being hidden from them by their leaders.

Mohammad Taherzadeh, a government employee who also joined the rally, said: "We are here to tell Macron that we respect all religions and that he has no right to insult our Prophet."

On Tuesday, a senior French diplomat in Iran was summoned to protest the "unacceptable behaviour of the French authorities".

The parliamentary bloc of the powerful Lebanese group Hezbollah, which is close to Iran, on Wednesday also issued a statement against insults targeting the Prophet Mohammed.

It slammed the "moral and ethical bankruptcy that groups, states and leaders are suffering from today", adding that intentionally ridiculing the prophet revealed "malicious and hostile intentions".

The statement did not mention France or Macron, but accused the states and groups in the question of "abusing freedom of expression... by suppressing others and preventing them from expressing their convictions and beliefs".

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday called the French president's defence of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed a "stupid act" and an "insult" to those who voted for him.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday called the French president's defence of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed a "stupid act" and an "insult" to those who voted for him. Also read | 'Those scoundrels': Erdogan vows 'all legal and diplomatic' action against Charlie Hebdo amid anti-Macron wave "Ask your president why he supports insulting God's messenger in the name of freedom of expression. Does freedom of expression mean insulting, especially a sacred personage?" Khamenei said in a message to "French youth" on his official website. "Isn't this stupid act an insult to the reason of the people who elected him?" he added. French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly defended secular values and the right to mock religion following the murder of a French schoolteacher who had shown his class cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. Macron's comments triggered protests and a call to boycott French goods in some Muslim-majority countries. "The next question to ask is, 'why is it a crime to raise doubts about the holocaust?'" Khamenei said. "Why should anyone who writes about such doubts be imprisoned, while insulting the Prophet, peace be upon him, is allowed?" Khamenei's remarks follow a chorus of criticism directed at Macron by top Iranian officials, including President Hassan Rouhani, who warned on Wednesday that insulting the prophet is "immoral" and may encourage "violence and bloodshed". Rouhani said, "the West should understand that... insulting the Prophet is insulting all Muslims, all prophets, all human values, and trampling ethics." "Every single European is in debt to the prophet, as he was the teacher of humanity," he added. 'Shame on you, Macron' Hundreds of protesters demonstrated near France's embassy in Tehran on Wednesday to condemn Macron's remarks. Some protesters held banners reading, "shame on you Macron", while others burned pictures of the French leader. Demonstrator Zeynab Yeganeh told AFP that Macron has shown his "wretchedness" by defending the cartoons, and said Europeans are being "oppressed" as the truth of Islam is being hidden from them by their leaders. Mohammad Taherzadeh, a government employee who also joined the rally, said: "We are here to tell Macron that we respect all religions and that he has no right to insult our Prophet." On Tuesday, a senior French diplomat in Iran was summoned to protest the "unacceptable behaviour of the French authorities". The parliamentary bloc of the powerful Lebanese group Hezbollah, which is close to Iran, on Wednesday also issued a statement against insults targeting the Prophet Mohammed. It slammed the "moral and ethical bankruptcy that groups, states and leaders are suffering from today", adding that intentionally ridiculing the prophet revealed "malicious and hostile intentions". The statement did not mention France or Macron, but accused the states and groups in the question of "abusing freedom of expression... by suppressing others and preventing them from expressing their convictions and beliefs".

French president's support for Prophet cartoons 'stupid act': Iran's supreme leader

Iran&#39;s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei controls a financial empire worth an estimated $95 billion, reports said.

The assets are not directly in the name of Khamenei and are far greater than the wealth accumulated by the late Shah, the deposed pro-Western monarch.

According to Reuters, assets often based on property seizures have been acquired by an organisation called Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam under Ayatollah Khamenei&#39;s authority.&nbsp;

A six-month investigation revealed that Setad had expanded into a business juggernaut in the past six years, to hold stakes in every sector of the Iranian economy.&nbsp;

This included finance, oil, telecommunications, production of contraception pills and even ostrich farming.

Its dramatic growth has attracted the attention of the US treasury department, which imposed sanctions on the organisation last year after branding it &quot;a massive network of front companies hiding assets on behalf of Iran&#39;s leadership&quot;.

The value of Setad&#39;s assets was 40 per cent higher than Iran&#39;s total oil revenues for the past year.

The value exceeds the presumed riches of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was ousted in the 1979 revolution that brought the current Islamic regime to power.

While there is little evidence that Ayatollah Khamenei, renowned for a spartan lifestyle, had used the assets to enrich himself, Reuters reported that they had enabled him to consolidate his power and position himself above the regime&#39;s rival factions.

The assets include properties confiscated from business people and Iranians living abroad.&nbsp;

The assets are not directly in the name of Khamenei

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei controls a financial empire worth an estimated $95 billion, reports said. The assets are not directly in the name of Khamenei and are far greater than the wealth accumulated by the late Shah, the deposed pro-Western monarch. According to Reuters, assets often based on property seizures have been acquired by an organisation called Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam under Ayatollah Khamenei's authority. A six-month investigation revealed that Setad had expanded into a business juggernaut in the past six years, to hold stakes in every sector of the Iranian economy. This included finance, oil, telecommunications, production of contraception pills and even ostrich farming. Its dramatic growth has attracted the attention of the US treasury department, which imposed sanctions on the organisation last year after branding it "a massive network of front companies hiding assets on behalf of Iran's leadership". The value of Setad's assets was 40 per cent higher than Iran's total oil revenues for the past year. The value exceeds the presumed riches of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was ousted in the 1979 revolution that brought the current Islamic regime to power. While there is little evidence that Ayatollah Khamenei, renowned for a spartan lifestyle, had used the assets to enrich himself, Reuters reported that they had enabled him to consolidate his power and position himself above the regime's rival factions. The assets include properties confiscated from business people and Iranians living abroad.

Iran's supreme leader Khamenei has assets worth $95 billion: Report

Iranian Paralympic cyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad died Saturday after crashing in the C4-5 race.&nbsp; 
 
The 48-year-old athlete fell in the first section of a mountainous descent. 
 
The International Paralympic Committee said the athlete received immediate treatment at the site but died of his injuries while being transported to hospital.&nbsp; 
 
International Paralympic Committee (IPC) spokesman Craig Spence told reporters, &quot;The athlete received treatment at the scene and was in the process of being taken to the athlete hospital when he suffered a cardiac arrest. The ambulance then diverted to the nearby Unimed Rio Hospital in Barra where he passed away soon after arrival.&quot; 
 
Paralympic officials broke the news to Golbarnezhad&#39;s family in Iran. His teammates too were shocked to hear the news during a meeting at the Athletes&#39; Village. 
 
&quot;The Paralympic Family is united in grief at this horrendous tragedy, which casts a shadow over what have been great Paralympic Games here in Rio,&quot; said IPC President Philip Craven, calling it a sad news for the sport.&nbsp; 
 
The Iranian flag was lowered to half-mast in the Paralympic Village to honour Golbarnezhad. A minute of silence will be held during Sunday&#39;s closing ceremony. 
 
The cyclist, who wore a prosthesis on his left leg, took up the sport in 2002 and competed at the London 2012 Paralympics. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Dismissing negotiations with the US, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said their aim is to undermine Iran's presence in the region

Iranian Paralympic cyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad died Saturday after crashing in the C4-5 race. The 48-year-old athlete fell in the first section of a mountainous descent. The International Paralympic Committee said the athlete received immediate treatment at the site but died of his injuries while being transported to hospital. International Paralympic Committee (IPC) spokesman Craig Spence told reporters, "The athlete received treatment at the scene and was in the process of being taken to the athlete hospital when he suffered a cardiac arrest. The ambulance then diverted to the nearby Unimed Rio Hospital in Barra where he passed away soon after arrival." Paralympic officials broke the news to Golbarnezhad's family in Iran. His teammates too were shocked to hear the news during a meeting at the Athletes' Village. "The Paralympic Family is united in grief at this horrendous tragedy, which casts a shadow over what have been great Paralympic Games here in Rio," said IPC President Philip Craven, calling it a sad news for the sport. The Iranian flag was lowered to half-mast in the Paralympic Village to honour Golbarnezhad. A minute of silence will be held during Sunday's closing ceremony. The cyclist, who wore a prosthesis on his left leg, took up the sport in 2002 and competed at the London 2012 Paralympics. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Iran's supreme leader Khamenei warns against US intervention in regional conflicts

Iran&#39;s supreme leader has blasted as &quot;foolishness&quot; a decision by Bahrain&#39;s leaders to strip a top Shi&#39;ite Muslim cleric of his citizenship, and said it could provoke violence from Shi&#39;ites, who make up the majority in the Sunni-ruled Gulf kingdom. 
 
The speech by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, carried by state media, came after Bahrain&#39;s Sunni authorities stepped up measures against the island&#39;s Shi&#39;ites and stripped their spiritual leader, Ayatollah Isa Qassim, of his citizenship. 
 
&quot;This is blatant foolishness and insanity. When he still could address the Bahraini people, Sheikh Isa Qassim... would advise against radical and armed actions,&quot; Khamenei said in remarks carried by state television today. 
 
&quot;Attacking Sheikh Isa Qassim means removing all obstacles blocking heroic Bahraini youths from attacking the regime.&quot; 
 
Bahrain in 2011 put down an uprising led by Shi&#39;ites demanding reforms. Since then, there have been almost daily skirmishes between Shi&#39;ite youths and security forces, as well as several bomb attacks. 
 
Bahrain accuses Iran of fomenting unrest among its Shi&#39;ite population and providing financial and material support, a charge Tehran denies. 
 
In a series of moves over the past three weeks, authorities also closed down the main Shi&#39;ite opposition al-Wefaq Islamic Society, doubled the prison sentence on the group&#39;s leader, Sheikh Ali Salman, and detained prominent rights campaigner Nabeel Rajab. 
 
(Reuters)

The island's Sunni authorities stepped up measures against the Shi'ite majority and stripped their spiritual leader of his citizenship

Iran's supreme leader has blasted as "foolishness" a decision by Bahrain's leaders to strip a top Shi'ite Muslim cleric of his citizenship, and said it could provoke violence from Shi'ites, who make up the majority in the Sunni-ruled Gulf kingdom. The speech by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, carried by state media, came after Bahrain's Sunni authorities stepped up measures against the island's Shi'ites and stripped their spiritual leader, Ayatollah Isa Qassim, of his citizenship. "This is blatant foolishness and insanity. When he still could address the Bahraini people, Sheikh Isa Qassim... would advise against radical and armed actions," Khamenei said in remarks carried by state television today. "Attacking Sheikh Isa Qassim means removing all obstacles blocking heroic Bahraini youths from attacking the regime." Bahrain in 2011 put down an uprising led by Shi'ites demanding reforms. Since then, there have been almost daily skirmishes between Shi'ite youths and security forces, as well as several bomb attacks. Bahrain accuses Iran of fomenting unrest among its Shi'ite population and providing financial and material support, a charge Tehran denies. In a series of moves over the past three weeks, authorities also closed down the main Shi'ite opposition al-Wefaq Islamic Society, doubled the prison sentence on the group's leader, Sheikh Ali Salman, and detained prominent rights campaigner Nabeel Rajab. (Reuters)

Bahrain's move against top Shia cleric risks violence, says Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei

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Iran’s hardline clerics get restless, demand quick naming of new supreme leader

How the US military could use AI to track Khamenei’s bunker

French president's support for Prophet cartoons 'stupid act': Iran's supreme leader

Iran's supreme leader Khamenei has assets worth $95 billion: Report

Iran's supreme leader Khamenei warns against US intervention in regional conflicts

Bahrain's move against top Shia cleric risks violence, says Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei