Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is taking significant steps to secure leadership succession amid heightened fears of assassination and escalating tensions with the US and Israel, according to a report by The New York Times citing senior Iranian sources.
Khamenei has empowered Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, with expanded authority in crisis management, wartime planning, and ensuring institutional continuity if Iran’s leadership faces major disruption.
The report details a multilayered succession framework with four designated replacement tiers for key military and government positions. This system aims to prevent paralysis and fragmentation during crises, including scenarios of military strikes or communication breakdowns.
Larijani, a veteran conservative politician and former IRGC commander, is entrusted with coordinating contingency plans, reflecting his growing influence amid shifting power dynamics in Tehran. However, his lack of senior clerical status complicates long-term succession outlooks.
Despite these preparations, experts note the centralised power of the Supreme Leader role remains difficult to replicate, underscoring the challenges Iran faces in maintaining political stability amid an unpredictable regional security environment.
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