Khamenei Reportedly Chooses Three Secret Successors Amid Security Concerns: NYT

TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has quietly selected three potential successors amid growing fears over his safety and the country’s mounting tensions with Israel and the United States, according to a report by The New York Times.

Citing unnamed Iranian officials and intelligence sources, the report describes the 86-year-old leader’s decision as unprecedented in the history of the Islamic Republic. Khamenei, who has ruled since 1989, is said to be deeply worried about the possibility of a high-level assassination attempt, particularly following recent Israeli airstrikes and increasingly hostile rhetoric from Washington.

Notably, the list of three clerics reportedly does not include Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has long been viewed as a potential successor. Also absent is former President Ebrahim Raisi, who was widely considered a front-runner before his untimely death in a helicopter crash in May 2024.

In response to the growing threat environment, Khamenei has reportedly abandoned all electronic communications. According to the report, the Supreme Leader now communicates exclusively through a trusted envoy, while Iran’s intelligence ministry has banned senior officials and military commanders from using mobile phones or any digital devices.

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Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed or denied the report, but analysts say the move reflects an urgent shift in Tehran’s internal strategy, especially as the nation grapples with rising fears of war and potential regime instability.

The identity of the three chosen clerics remains undisclosed, adding to the mystery surrounding the leadership transition in one of the Middle East’s most influential nations.