Two Iranian Ayatollahs have called for speeding up the election of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Tasnim reports.

According to Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, a timely decision on this important issue will strengthen national authority and ensure the best organization of affairs.

In turn, Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani emphasized that he expects the swift inauguration of a new Supreme Leader of Iran.

According to Ayatollah Hamedani, this will “simultaneously break the enemy and preserve the unity and solidarity of the nation that currently exist throughout the country, as well as support our powerful armed forces defending the country from aggressors.”

Iran’s Assembly of Experts began the procedure to elect a new leader of the republic on March 4. The final decision on the successor will be announced through the council’s secretariat.

The Assembly of Experts is a consultative body responsible for appointing the country’s Supreme Leader. It consists of 88 scholar-jurists elected for eight-year terms.

According to Article 111 of the country’s Constitution, the experts must appoint a new leader as soon as possible in the event of the death, resignation, or removal of the current head.

American media name the son of the slain ayatollah, Mojtaba Khamenei, as one of the main favorites in the race for the post of Supreme Leader.