Khamenei names 3 possible successors

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has named three senior clerics as potential successors, aimed at ensuring leadership continuity amid rising fears of an assassination attempt by Israel or the United States, reports The New York Times.

Khamenei, 85, is concerned about a sudden leadership vacuum and has urged the Assembly of Experts — the body responsible for choosing the next Supreme Leader — to act swiftly if needed, Iranian officials said.

In a notable omission, Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, long rumored as a potential successor, was left off the list — a move seen as an effort to avoid accusations of dynastic rule.

While the names of the proposed successors remain undisclosed, sources say the move is designed to bypass the usual months-long deliberation process in favor of a quick, controlled transition if circumstances demand it.

"We are effectively at war," one official said. "He wants to preserve stability and protect his legacy."

Khamenei has ruled Iran since 1989. The succession question has loomed large in recent years, and this latest step reflects how seriously the leadership views the threat of foreign intervention or internal instability.