Facing unprecedented Israeli strikes and fearing assassination, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has designated potential successors and reinforced military command to ensure regime survival.

Preparing for the Worst

Ayatollah Khamenei, 86, is now operating from a bunker, communicating with commanders via a trusted aide only. According to Iranian officials, he has selected three clerics as successors should he be killed, instructing the Assembly of Experts to ensure a swift and orderly transition if necessary.

The move is a historic deviation from traditional succession protocols, reflecting the severity of Israel’s military campaign, which has inflicted more damage on Tehran in one week than Saddam Hussein did during the entire Iran-Iraq War.

Leadership Shakeup and Command Continuity

Khamenei has also reshuffled his military leadership to account for further potential losses of senior officers, many of whom were recently assassinated by Israel. Despite major intelligence breaches and infrastructure damage, officials say the chain of command remains functional.

The selection of successors notably excludes his son Mojtaba and former president Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in 2024.

War Impact and National Solidarity

Israel’s dual-front strategy—airstrikes and alleged on-the-ground sabotage—has deeply rattled Iran’s security structure. Iranian officials accuse Israeli agents of infiltrating the country to launch drone attacks and gather targeting data.

Khamenei has issued two video messages since retreating underground, vowing not to surrender and appealing to national unity. Across Iran, there has been a resurgence of patriotic solidarity, with civilians volunteering aid, celebrities voicing support, and even critics of the regime defending the nation.

The war between Israel and Iran, now in its second week, has escalated dramatically. Iranian cities have suffered extensive casualties and infrastructure losses. Tehran remains partially evacuated and under lockdown. With U.S. intervention looming, fears are rising that the conflict could spiral into a broader regional war. Khamenei’s succession plan is an attempt to safeguard the Islamic Republic’s stability in the event of further chaos.