Ayatollah Kaabi Reveals Imam Khamenei’s Guidance on Choosing Iran’s Next Leader
Ayatollah Abbas Kaabi explains Imam Khamenei’s guidance on selecting Iran’s future Leader, emphasizing financial integrity, revolutionary commitment, and the role of the Assembly of Experts.
Iran, PUREWILAYAH.COM — Ayatollah Abbas Kaabi, a member of the Presidium of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, released an important message on Friday (March 6, 2026) addressing the process of selecting a new Leader and the views of the Martyr Imam, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei.
The statement was provided to the Qom office of Tasnim News Agency and contains several key points regarding the criteria and responsibilities of the Assembly of Experts in choosing the next Leader.
Meetings Between the Investigation Commission and Imam Khamenei
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The Investigation Commission of the Assembly of Experts visited the Martyr Imam, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei (may God elevate his ranks), on several occasions.
During one of these meetings, he emphasized that the characteristics and criteria of leadership should be carefully identified and extracted, and that decisions should be made based on those standards.
At the beginning of this process, the commission formed a special committee for this task. Its members included the late Ayatollah Sayyed Mahmoud Shahroudi, Martyr Ayatollah Sayyed Ebrahim Raeisi, Ayatollah Sayyed Ahmad Khatami, Ayatollah Mohsen Qomi, and myself.
We extracted the necessary regulations and criteria and, in subsequent meetings, presented reports on the process and the established standards to the Martyr Imam.
In response, Imam Khamenei stated:
“Among all the characteristics, the financial integrity of the Leader holds the highest priority. Considering the extensive powers and responsibilities of leadership, if financial deviation occurs, it will spread to all other areas. Therefore, pay even greater attention to the financial integrity of the Leader.”
Commitment to the Revolution and Resistance
In another meeting of the Investigation Commission, Imam Khamenei emphasized the importance of the future Leader having a deep-rooted belief in the principles of the Islamic Revolution.
He also stressed the necessity of political insight, awareness of enemies and seditions, and particularly a strong stance against global arrogance.
He emphasized faith in struggle, resistance, and confrontation with the United States and the Zionist regime.
Request for Indications About the Future Leader
During another session of the Investigation Commission, toward the end of the fifth term of the Assembly of Experts, Mr. Kazeroon, the representative of Alborz in the Assembly, asked the Martyr Imam that if he did not wish to name a specific individual as the future Leader, he should at least provide certain indications or clues.
The request was that the Assembly of Experts could find the correct path, similar to the indication given by Imam Khomeini (may God sanctify his soul) when he pointed toward Ayatollah Khamenei.
In response, the Martyr Imam, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, said:
“It is not necessary. Do not worry. God will help you find the way.”
He then added:
“After the passing of Imam Khomeini, we entered a dark corridor, but God helped us. The grace and attention of Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) illuminated the path. Now the situation is not like that, and there are openings. You will find the way. God Almighty will guide hearts.”
Refusal to Name Any Specific Candidate
Much earlier, in the three-member committee related to Articles 107 and 109 of the Constitution — which included Ayatollah Yazdi, Ayatollah Shabestari, and Ayatollah Vafi — the Martyr Imam was repeatedly asked to identify a specific individual.
However, he refused to name any particular candidate and stated:
“This is the responsibility of the Assembly of Experts.”
When the committee attempted to present the names of individuals they had in mind, he declined even to hear those names.
The Final Guidance of Imam Khamenei
Therefore, considering all the evidence and indications, the position of the Martyr Imam, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei (may God elevate his ranks), is that the Assembly of Experts must make its decision based on established criteria, principles, and their legal and religious responsibilities.
He left no specific will, recommendation, or indication pointing to any particular individual as the future Leader. (PW)