Tehran: As the Iran-Israel conflict enters its seventh day, Iranian officials have revealed a significant development: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has selected three potential successors. While the identities of these clerics remain undisclosed due to security concerns, analysts believe the secrecy is also aimed at maintaining the hardliners’ control over Iran’s political structure.
Now 86 years old, Khamenei has been the subject of succession debates in Iran for years. But recent threats from the United States and Israel — including alleged assassination plots — have intensified these discussions. Many experts view these threats as part of a broader strategy to bring about regime change in Tehran by eliminating its top leadership and installing a more Western-aligned figure.
The prospect of a US or Israeli-backed assassination is not without precedent. Similar interventions have been seen in countries like Libya, Syria, and Egypt. Responding to these concerns, Khamenei recently said, “My life has no value, but even after me, the Islamic nation must stand by its commitments.” His remarks suggest a desire to ensure the ideological continuity of Iran’s leadership even in the face of foreign threats.
Choosing the next Supreme Leader will not be easy
The process of selecting Iran’s next Supreme Leader is expected to be complex, given the number of influential clerics who are likely to stake a claim. Announcing the shortlisted names during wartime could fuel internal power struggles and destabilize the regime from within.
Adding to the pressure is Reza Pahlavi — the exiled son of Iran’s last Shah — who has taken to social media urging Iranians to rise up against the current regime. This dual threat, from both domestic dissent and foreign intelligence agencies like Mossad, may be a key reason why Iranian authorities are keeping the shortlist under wraps.
Mossad’s expanding kill list
Since the beginning of Israel’s military operations last Friday, more than 30 senior Iranian commanders and officials have reportedly been assassinated. Civilian casualties have pushed the overall death toll in Iran past 400. In contrast, Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed around 24 people in Israel so far.
