Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has taken urgent steps to ensure the survival of his regime in the event of his elimination, The New York Times reported, citing internal sources from Tehran.
According to the report, Khamenei is sheltering in a bunker due to fears for his life following a wave of Israeli-directed attacks. These strikes have allegedly eliminated more than 25 key political and military figures of the regime in just eight days.
In response, Khamenei has reportedly selected a series of substitutes within the military chain of command, as well as three high-ranking clerics as potential candidates to succeed him as Supreme Leader.
“The main issue is saving the Islamic Republic,” Iranian affairs expert Vali Nasr told the NYT, emphasizing that Khamenei’s actions are “calculated and pragmatic.”
Notably, his son, Mojtaba – often mentioned as a possible successor – is not among the selected candidates.
Under the Iranian Constitution, the Supreme Leader is chosen by the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member religious body elected by the people every eight years. The leader must be a theologian and Islamic jurist, devout, courageous, visionary, and enjoy popular recognition.
