Iran’s Supreme Leader Picks Potential Successors From Bunker, Son Mojtaba Not on List: Report
Amid escalating war and direct assassination threats from Israel, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is reportedly operating from a secure bunker and has taken the extraordinary step of naming three senior clerics as potential successors, according to a New York Times report citing Iranian officials.
In a significant twist, the report claims that Khamenei’s influential son, Mojtaba, who was long rumoured to be his chosen heir, is not among the three candidates shortlisted to lead the Islamic Republic in the event of the Supreme Leader’s death.
The dramatic move highlights the intense pressure on the Iranian leadership as the direct military conflict with Israel entered its ninth day on Saturday. According to the report, the 86-year-old leader, who views a potential assassination as martyrdom, has instructed the Assembly of Experts—the clerical body responsible for the appointment—to prepare for a rapid transition to ensure the stability of the state.
This pre-emptive succession planning comes as both Israel and the United States have made direct threats against Khamenei. Earlier this week, Israel’s Defence Minister stated the Ayatollah “shouldn’t continue to exist,” while US President Donald Trump taunted that he knew exactly where the leader was “hiding.”
The conflict has seen devastating strikes on both sides. Israeli attacks have reportedly killed several high-ranking Iranian military commanders and have repeatedly targeted military and nuclear-related infrastructure. Iran’s Health Ministry has reported that at least 430 people have been killed and over 3,500 injured in Iran since the war began on June 13. Iran has retaliated with its own missile and drone barrages on Israeli cities.
According to the NYT report, Khamenei has also appointed backups for key military positions and has ceased all electronic communication, now operating only through a trusted aide. While the names of the three potential successors have not been disclosed, the move to sideline his son Mojtaba is seen by analysts as a way to avoid criticism of establishing a hereditary dynasty.
The report has not yet drawn an official comment from the Iranian government.
