Reports indicate that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is sheltering in a bunker due to escalating tensions and attacks from Israel. He has reportedly designated a list of potential successors from within his military command, signaling the gravity of the situation. Khamenei is communicating through a trusted aide and has suspended electronic communications to avoid being tracked. According to The New York Times, Khamenei has named three senior clerics as potential replacements, a move intended to ensure a smooth transition and preserve his legacy in the face of ongoing conflict. The attacks from Israel, described as the most significant since the Iran-Iraq war, have heavily impacted Tehran. While Iran retaliates daily, the leadership is also assessing potential outcomes, including possible U.S. involvement. The process typically involving months for selecting a new leader is expedited by the ongoing war. Expert Vali Nasr emphasizes the priority of state preservation. The selection process is sensitive, with the Supreme Leader holding vast power, including control over the armed forces, courts, parliament, and religious leadership. Mojtaba, Khamenei’s son, is reportedly not on the list of potential successors.
