An election for the deputy supreme leader of Iran was held on 15 July 1985, following the circumstances of the Iran–Iraq War and the worsening physical condition of the supreme leader Ruhollah Khomeini. On the same day, Hussein-Ali Montazeri was announced as the deputy supreme leader after his victory in the election as he was the sole nominee in the election.http://www.seratnews.ir/fa/news/21339/نقش-هاشمی-در-قائم-مقامی-منتظریNYT, 24 November 1985, p. 10.https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/22/world/middleeast/22ayatollah.html?_r=1&hp
Background Montazeri initially rejected Khomeini's proposal to make him his successor, insisting that the choice of successor be left to the Assembly of Experts, which happened.NYT, 24 November 1985, p. 10.
Aftermath While already elected the eventual choice was firstly revealed in November 1985. It was revealed to everyone by Hadi Barikbin during Friday prayers.https://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/820386/%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%B9%D8%B2%D9%84-%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%85-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B8%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86
See also Deputy Supreme Leader of Iran Supreme Leader of Iran 1989 Iranian supreme leader election 2026 Iranian supreme leader election Interim Leadership Council
References