Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has taken refuge in a secret bunker and named three clerics to succeed him if he’s killed, amid rising fears of an Israeli or U.S. assassination strike. With global tensions boiling, the Islamic Republic braces for a power shift like never before.
Ayatollah Khamenei Retreats to Bunker, Names Successors as War With Israel Intensifies
In a historic and secretive move, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly named three senior clerics as potential successors, signaling the possibility of an end to his more than 30-year rule. This comes as Israeli airstrikes continue to escalate and assassination fears loom larger than ever.
The New York Times reports that Khamenei, now 86, has fled to a highly secured underground bunker, disconnected all electronic communication, and is communicating only through a trusted aide to avoid intelligence interception. His recent actions appear to be a precaution against an Israeli strike or an American-led assassination attempt.
Interestingly, the list of successors does not include his influential son, Mojtaba Khamenei—once considered a likely heir to the throne. His omission is widely seen as a rejection of dynastic rule, especially after the death of hardliner President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash last year, which ended his presumed succession.
Reports also confirm that multiple IRGC generals have been killed in Israeli air raids, forcing Khamenei to reshuffle the top command of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. These moves highlight the seriousness of the threat Iran perceives to its leadership structure.
The Supreme Leader’s decision to pre-select successors is seen as a critical measure to preserve regime continuity should he be killed during the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
In the U.S., former President Donald Trump made a provocative statement, claiming, “We know exactly where the ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding… he is safe there – we are not taking him out (not killing him!), at least not for now.” Trump added that the U.S. demands Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed similar threats. In an interview with ABC News, when asked whether Israel would target Khamenei directly, Netanyahu replied, “We will do what we have to do.”
So far, Khamenei has not responded publicly to the assassination threats but stated defiantly that “Iran will not be attacked by anyone.”
As tensions soar, Iran’s leadership braces for the worst, preparing for a succession plan while locked in the most dangerous standoff of the 21st century.
