The three-day meeting of the Assembly of Experts in Tehran went according to plan, albeit an all-too-familiar one. There were no surprises: speeches behind closed doors; government officials presenting positive reports; a renewal of faith to Ayatollah Khomeini; and words of advice from Ayatollah Khamenei, addressed to a group of officials tasked with supervising his activities.
The shadow of the Supreme Leader overshadowed members of the assembly throughout the meeting. Although the assembly was initially created to supervise the Supreme Leader’s performance, it is now widely accepted that its duty is chiefly to protect and safeguard him.
Hossein Fereydoon, President Rouhani’s brother and special assistant, and the only non-cleric member of the assembly, remained by his brother’s side during the session. Abbas Araghchi, the chief nuclear negotiator, and Ali Tayebnia, the minister of economy, presented reports. Also present was Mahmoud Alavi, minister of intelligence.
Hashemi Rafsanjani, former president, contemplates a photograph of Hassan Taheri, a member of the Assembly of Experts who died last September. The average age of members suggests that the death of least one more member can be expected before the next session. Nevertheless, Mahdavi Kani, chairman of the assembly, wished all members a lifespan of 120 years so that they can continue to serve the Islamic Republic.
Tayebnia, the minister of economy, talks to Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, chairman of the Guardian Council, which has veto power over laws and candidates for assembly membership. Watching from behind them is Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi, Jannati’s kindred spirit. Both hardliner Ayatollahs lead the opposition against Hassan Rouhani’s administration and, in recent months, have been relentless in their criticism.
During the opening ceremonies, the conversation between President Rouhani and Hashemi Rafsanjani attracted the attention of photographers. Rafsanjani, a former chairman of the assembly, is one of Rouhani’s most important supporters and it is rumored that they have similar intentions with regard to the next Assembly of Experts. The current chairman, Jannati, has warned against any such ideas and intentions.
Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, the former head of the Iranian Judiciary, is a leading candidate for the next chairman of the assembly. He has been pushed to the sidelines recently, but he has continued to have close ties with members of former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s administration. Such behind-the-scenes relationships play an important part in many political calculations in Iran.
A collection of hardliners - Ahmad Jannati, Mesbah Yazdi and Sadegh Larijani - and a group of moderates - Hashemi Rafsanjani, Hassan Rouhani and Mahdavi Kani - sit next to the Supreme Leader during an assembly members meeting. Shahroudi, also sitting on stage, cannot be categorized as a hardliner or moderate, but the interactions among these seven figures will greatly influence the future decisions of Ayatollah Khamenei.
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