As the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran deepens, fresh reports indicate that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has named three potential successors amid fears of assassination. The 86-year-old leader is now reportedly operating from a fortified underground bunker, while Iran’s military leadership undergoes significant reshuffling in anticipation of further turmoil.
TJ News Nigeria gathered that the development comes as sustained Israeli airstrikes pound key Iranian military installations and suspected nuclear facilities, sending shockwaves through Iran’s leadership structure.
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Private Succession Plans Amid Escalating Tensions
According to The New York Times, corroborated by The Jerusalem Post, Ayatollah Khamenei bypassed Iran’s formal succession process overseen by the Assembly of Experts. Instead, he handpicked three clerics, each regarded as staunch loyalists to Iran’s hardline revolutionary ideology. Notably missing from that list is Mojtaba Khamenei, his influential son, signaling a shift away from anticipated dynastic succession.
A senior Iranian intelligence official described the move as “succession planning under fire,” citing the string of assassinations of Iranian and Hezbollah commanders allegedly orchestrated by Israel inside Iran.
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Israeli Attacks Reshape Iran’s Leadership Calculations
As Israeli forces continue targeting critical infrastructure, Khamenei has limited public appearances and relies on a single trusted aide for communication. Sources report that even electronic communication has been suspended to prevent interception by Israeli operatives.
The extent of Israel’s ongoing campaign — widely seen as the most destructive since the Iran-Iraq war — has heightened fears within Tehran. Hundreds of casualties have been reported, and the psychological impact on Iran’s leadership appears severe, with key decisions now being made from undisclosed underground facilities.
Rising Fears of Regional Conflagration
As Israeli strikes intensify, United States intelligence assets are reportedly monitoring the situation closely. With Washington possessing the only bunker-buster munitions capable of destroying Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility, speculation about potential U.S. intervention continues to grow.
The Iranian leadership has warned that any perceived escalation involving the United States could lead to retaliation against U.S. assets in the Middle East, raising the spectre of a wider conflict that could engulf the region.
Nationwide Communication Blackout Imposed
In response to fears of Israeli infiltration, Iran has implemented a nationwide communication blackout, blocking international calls and suspending internet access in key regions. Authorities have issued strict warnings to suspected collaborators, demanding their surrender by Sunday or face the death penalty.
The situation remains volatile as regional powers brace for the possibility of unprecedented escalation.
Stay with TJ News Nigeria for continuous updates on this developing story.
