Iran's Assembly of Experts makes decision on new supreme leader: media

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Iran's Assembly of Experts makes decision on new supreme leader: media

2026-03-08 17:41 Last Updated At：03-09 11:57

Iran's Assembly of Experts has finalized a decision on its new supreme leader, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Sunday.

A majority consensus over a successor to the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei -- who was killed in U.S.-Israeli air strikes on Tehran last Saturday -- has "more or less been reached", a member of the 88-seat assembly was quoted as saying.

However, Ayatollah Mohammadmehdi Mirbaqeri, the member, said some obstacles remain to be addressed regarding the process, adding that the work must be conducted accurately to avoid controversy.

The Assembly of Experts is Iran's supreme authority responsible for electing, supervising, and dismissing Iran's supreme leader.

U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier said that he must be personally involved in selecting Iran's next leader, according to a report by U.S. news website Axios on Thursday.

On Feb 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Khamenei, as well as many others, including some of the leader's family members, high-ranking military commanders and civilians.

China to raise gasoline, diesel retail prices

China will raise its retail prices of gasoline and diesel from Tuesday, following a sharp rise in international oil prices, the country's top economic planner said on Monday.

Gasoline and diesel prices will increase by 695 yuan (about 100.5 U.S. dollars) and 670 yuan per tonne, respectively, according to a statement released by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The NDRC's price monitoring center said that developments in the Middle East will be the key factor influencing global oil price trends in the period ahead.

China's three biggest oil companies -- the China National Petroleum Corporation, the China Petrochemical Corporation, and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation -- and other refineries have been directed to maintain production and facilitate transportation to ensure stable supplies.

Relevant departments in various regions should intensify their market supervision and inspection efforts. They should implement strict measures to crack down on activities that violate national pricing policies to ensure market order, the NDRC said.