Tehran, Iran - May 21, 2024

Storyline:
Iran's sixth Assembly of Experts - the country's deliberative body that oversees the supreme leader - was sworn into its eight-year term and held its first session in the capital city of Tehran on Tuesday.

The event, also a closing session for the fifth assembly, was attended by high-ranking Iranian officials, including Interim President Mohammad Mokhber, Chief Justice of Iran Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, Secretary of the Constitutional Council Ahmad Jannati, a number of cabinet ministers and members of the Expediency Council.

The session was held in the absence of two members, Iran's late President Ebrahim Raisi and Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, representative of Iran's supreme leader to East Azarbaijan, who both died in a helicopter crash on Sunday in the northwestern province.

Their seats were placed with their photos and flowers to offer condolences for their death.

The 88-seat assembly is Iran's supreme authority responsible for electing, supervising, and dismissing Iran's supreme leader.

With 55 votes, the assembly elected Mohammad-Ali Movahedi Kermani as its chairman for two years, a position previously held by Jannati, the official news agency IRNA reported.

The 6th assembly was elected from a list of 144 candidates in early March. It was held concurrently with the election for Iran's 12th parliament across the country.

Shotlist:
Tehran, Iran - May 21, 2024:
1. Various of sixth Assembly of Experts in progress;
2. Various of photo of late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on seat, attendees;
3. Various of attendees;
4. Photo of Friday prayers leader Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem on seat;
5. Various of sixth Assembly of Experts in progress.

[Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV]