"Why did you burn your father's will?" The late Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei (right) and his second son, Mojtaba Khamenei [X @MossadSpokesman capture]

Speculation has arisen that Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei's will has become an issue causing a delay in the selection of his successor as Iran's Supreme Leader.

An X (formerly Twitter) Persian-language account, believed to be operated by Israel's foreign intelligence agency Mossad, posted early on the 8th (local time) a photo doctored with the faces of Ali Khamenei and his second son, with the caption: "Why did Mojtaba Khamenei burn his father's will?"

Coincidentally, Iranian media outlets such as Mehr and ISNA news agencies later reported that a successor to Khamenei had been chosen and that the results would be announced later.

Khamenei was killed in a bombing raid by the United States and Israel on the 28th of last month. Since then, an Assembly of Experts has been convened in Iran to discuss the succession plan. The next Supreme Leader will be officially confirmed once the Assembly of Experts, Iran's constitutional body, makes the final decision.

In the afternoon of the same day, members of the Assembly of Experts successively hinted that Ali Khamenei's second son, Mojtaba, had been chosen as the successor.

Hossein Ali Eshkevari stated, "The name Khamenei will continue," and Mohsen Heidari remarked, "The Great Satan (the United States) has mentioned the name of the one chosen by the representatives."

Heidari's remark recalled US President Donald Trump's statement on the 5th that Mojtaba could not be tolerated as Iran's Supreme Leader.

Mojtaba, 56, is a powerful figure behind the scenes, benefiting from his father's prestige. He is known to wield significant influence within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and intelligence agencies. He has long been mentioned as a potential successor.

However, the Assembly of Experts has been dragging its feet, not revealing who was chosen as the successor until close to midnight of that night.

In this regard, Israeli broadcaster N12 reported, "Many people wished for Mojtaba to become the successor, but it has been revealed that Khamenei instructed in his will, 'Do not appoint my son as successor.'"

The explanation is that the succession has not been finalized due to Khamenei's will, and the final decision-making power has shifted to the Iranian military.

N12 also reported that Ali Abdollahi Aliyabadi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Command, which integrates and commands the military operations of the Iranian army, has taken control of operational authority and is disobeying the political establishment following the recent deaths of his superiors.

On the 5th, the anti-regime media Iran International also reported that a member of the Assembly of Experts stated, "Ali Khamenei did not favor his son's leadership and never allowed the issue of (dynastic succession) to be raised during his lifetime."

Meanwhile, the Israeli military stated in a Persian-language statement on X, "After the tyrant Khamenei was eliminated, they are trying to elect a new leader. The Assembly of Experts, convened for the first time in 40 years, is scheduled to be held soon in Qom."

It continued, "Israel will continue to pursue not only the successor but also anyone who attempts to nominate him. We will not hesitate to target those who participate in the successor selection process."

Qom, a city in central Iran designated by Israel as the location for the Assembly of Experts meeting, is widely known for its Shia Islamic theological studies. The Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency reported several explosions occurred in Qom on the evening of the same day.