The Coming Shake-Up in Iranian Leadership
Ayatollah Ali Meshkini, leader of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, died yesterday at 85.
Between Meshkini’s death and the reportedly poor health of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, there will be some serious maneuvering to see who can seize the reins of power. The question is whether reformist elements like Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani will gain power. This will have significant implications for US-Iranian negotiations over Iraq. But, as with everything relating to these negotiations, the multiple timelines and convoluted cast of back-channel players makes it difficult to keep a clear picture of what’s happening and why.
Hopped on over to the Iranian Constitution to read the qualifications for leadership. I noted one surprising omission. One is not required to be an Iranian citizen. The election of Grand Ayatollah Sistani, if he would take it, would fundamentally change the terms of the game. It’s too bad that he would likely turn it down as being fundamentally incompatible with his position on quietism.
Comment by TMLutas — August 3, 2007 @ 1:10 pm
Hm, interesting. That does raise some interesting questions…
Comment by Wiggins — August 3, 2007 @ 3:39 pm