Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Prepares Successors Amid Assassination Fears and Escalating Conflict

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

By [Sulaiman Inuwa]
Published: June 22, 2025

Tehran, Iran — As the Middle East teeters on the brink of broader conflict, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly taken shelter in a high-security underground bunker and quietly appointed three potential successors—an extraordinary move that signals both deep internal concern and a strategic shift in Iran’s leadership calculus.

This unprecedented step comes amid fears of assassination, rising tensions with Israel and the United States, and a growing sense of urgency about the Islamic Republic’s future.

The Hidden Bunker and Tightened Security

Sources inside Tehran have confirmed that Khamenei, now 86, has minimized public appearances and ceased all digital communications. Instead, he relays directives through a close aide from a fortified underground location believed to be within Tehran.

This decision follows a series of targeted Israeli airstrikes that killed key Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials, prompting Iran to brace for a potential direct hit on its top leadership.

The Three Chosen Successors

In a surprising move, Khamenei is said to have named three senior clerics to the Assembly of Experts as his potential successors:

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i – Iran’s Judiciary Chief and a long-time regime loyalist.
Mohsen Qomi – A senior cleric closely aligned with Khamenei’s ideological vision.
Mohsen Araki – A former student of Khamenei with hardline credentials.

Interestingly, Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was not included on the list—despite past speculation that he was being groomed for leadership. Analysts see this as a move to avoid accusations of nepotism or monarchy-like succession.

Regional Escalation & International Fallout

Iran and Israel have been locked in a deadly tit-for-tat escalation for weeks. After Iran’s missile barrage into Israel, U.S. forces joined the fray, targeting Iranian military and suspected nuclear facilities with advanced bunker-buster bombs.

Khamenei recently warned the U.S. that any continued military involvement could cause “irreparable damage,” echoing similar threats from Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

Meanwhile, Russia has voiced strong opposition to any attempt by the West to push for regime change in Iran, calling it a dangerous “Pandora’s box” that could destabilize the entire region.

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