Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei fears he could be killed in an Israeli military operation targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure.
The New York Times, citing Iranian officials familiar with the matter, has already named three potential successors. Contrary to expectations, his son Mojtaba Khamenei, who many had considered the most likely candidate, is not among them.
Although Mojtaba is also a religious figure and closely associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, his candidacy is not to the liking of the 86-year-old spiritual leader, the publication notes.
The NYT's interlocutors claim that Khamenei is so frightened that in recent days he has not left his protected bunker, communicating with his closest commanders only through a proxy. The Ayatollah also cut off all electronic communication channels for security reasons.
In addition to choosing a successor, the Iranian leader has also prepared alternative candidates for key positions in the military and political verticals - in case high-ranking officials of the regime, which Khamenei has led for 35 years, are killed as a result of the strikes.
All these measures indicate the fragile position of the Iranian establishment, which, according to the publication, is preparing for various scenarios, including the entry of the United States into the conflict.
As The New York Times notes, the Ayatollah views his potential death as an act of martyrdom. At the same time, he seeks to ensure a quick and controlled transfer of power. In this regard, the Assembly of Experts - the body responsible for appointing the supreme leader - has been instructed to choose a successor from the three proposed candidates as soon as possible.
Typically, such a process can take months, but given the de facto state of war, Khamenei is counting on efficiency, the sources said.
In parallel, Iranian officials have announced a fight on the "second front" - inside the country. According to them, Israeli saboteurs and local collaborators are operating in Iran, launching drones at key energy and defense facilities.
Fear of possible penetration of Israeli spies into the ranks of the security and intelligence apparatus, as NYT sources note, has frightened Iranian state structures and Khamenei personally.
Against the backdrop of threats from within and without, the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence has issued strict instructions: all high-ranking officials are prohibited from using mobile phones and any electronic means of communication. In addition, government and military leaders have been ordered to temporarily stay in underground shelters.
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