Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has named three senior clerics as potential successors should he be killed amid escalating tensions with Israel, according to a report by The New York Times on Saturday.
In a move described as unusual, Khamenei is said to have directed the Assembly of Experts—the body responsible for choosing the nation’s supreme leader—to select his replacement from among those three individuals.
The report also states that Khamenei has updated the line of succession within his military leadership in case additional top commanders are lost in the conflict.
According to the Times, high-ranking Iranian officials are discreetly preparing for multiple scenarios, including the possibility of the United States entering the war.
Confidential discussions among Western diplomats have addressed the potential fallout if Iran’s leadership collapses. CBS News reported on Friday that these talks included concerns about the security of Iran’s nuclear facilities and the potential environmental impact of any strikes on sites like Fordow.
The reports suggest that Khamenei has not made any public appearances since Israel and Iran began exchanging missile fire roughly a week ago. On Tuesday, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that American intelligence agencies “know exactly where he is.” Khamenei is also believed to be suffering from cancer, though a U.S. intelligence assessment reportedly found no evidence that Iran has resumed its nuclear weapons program, which was suspended in 2003.
Amid the ongoing hostilities, communications in Iran have deteriorated, with both international calls and internet access reportedly restricted. CBS, citing regional sources, said the disruptions have complicated diplomatic outreach, including efforts to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Concerns over possible signal interception are said to be limiting Khamenei’s communication with key officials.
CBS also noted that Araghchi held extended talks with European diplomats in Geneva this past week, with the meeting lasting twice as long as originally scheduled.
U.S. officials are reportedly floating a proposal that would allow Iran to maintain a civilian nuclear program—without uranium enrichment—by importing nuclear fuel from abroad. Another idea under consideration involves an Omani-led initiative to establish a regional nuclear consortium under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the U.S., permitting enrichment strictly for peaceful purposes.
