In a recent conversation with Asad Rehman of The Indian Express, Abdul Majid Hakim Elahi, the representative of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei in India, provided a detailed and candid account of the current situation in West Asia following the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei by a US-Israel operation. Elahi offered insights into the ground realities in Iran, the sentiments of its people, the geopolitical dynamics unfolding in the region, and India’s response amid these tense times.
Elahi began by emphasizing the profound shock and grief that the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei has evoked not only within Iran but across the globe — spanning Asia, Europe, America, and Africa. He described the public reaction as unprecedented, with many likening the event to a resurrection or the day of judgment. The killing of an 86-year-old leader, who was revered and had committed no injustice, stunned people worldwide. Following the announcement of his death, mass demonstrations erupted in Iran, with citizens pouring onto the streets demanding justice and retaliation for what they saw as an unprovoked and unjust act of aggression.
Since March 1, when the attack occurred, Elahi noted that protesters have remained steadfast and resolute, refusing to disperse until their demands are met. He also highlighted the brutal nature of the US-Israel strikes that followed the assassination. According to Elahi, enemy forces targeted civilian infrastructure, including primary schools, killing innocent children aged between 7 and 12. Shockingly, these schools were attacked twice during the body recovery efforts. Beyond schools, hospitals, universities, and research centers were also bombed — none of which were military installations or police facilities, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the assaults. Elahi conveyed reports from relatives and contacts confirming that civilians were killed in everyday places such as shops and hospitals, reinforcing the view that the attacks lacked any semblance of humanity or moral restraint.
Turning to the broader geopolitical context, Elahi asserted that the US has a history of aggressive interventions in West Asia, citing previous attacks on Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Libya. He warned that Iran is not the final target and suggested that more countries in the region could soon face similar aggression. According to him, these attacks are motivated by America’s desire to maintain unilateral global dominance in the face of shifting power dynamics. Elahi argued that the rise of Russia, India, and China threatens the US’s position as the sole superpower, and therefore Washington is unwilling to share power or accept a multipolar world order.
Addressing the constitutional and political scenario inside Iran following the supreme leader’s assassination, Elahi explained that Iran’s system provides a clear mechanism for succession. When the supreme leader dies or becomes unqualified, a council of 88 elected experts and jurists convenes to select a new leader. However, given the current security situation — with constant threats from US and Israeli forces — the council has not yet gathered in one place to make the decision. Nonetheless, Elahi expressed confidence that a new supreme leader would be appointed soon and issued a defiant warning to the US: if Washington attempts to assassinate the next leader, Iran will simply continue to appoint successors. He stressed that Iran represents a population of 90 million people who are united and ready to sacrifice their lives for their dignity, country, and humanity. The people will never submit to US pressure or intimidation.
In the meantime, Elahi noted that Iran is being governed by a council of three leaders who are managing the country’s affairs until the supreme leader’s successor is chosen. The delay in convening the full council is due to the precarious security environment, with the ever-present risk of targeted attacks on the leadership assembly. This situation underscores the sensitivity and volatility of the current period in Iran’s history.
Elahi also shed light on the logistical and strategic challenges faced by the US in conducting attacks on Iran. Since America is geographically distant from Iran — separated by over 6,000 miles — any military operation requires regional bases to launch from. The US has established its bases in neighboring Persian Gulf countries, predominantly Arab states, and uses these facilities to conduct strikes against Iran. Prior to the conflict, Iran had warned these neighboring states against allowing their territories to be used for attacks on Iranian soil. Elahi quoted Ayatollah Khamenei’s words that any war involving Iran would not be limited to Iran alone but would engulf