Khamenei Names Three Potential Successors: New York Times

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Khamenei Names Three Potential Successors: New York Times

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Amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has selected three top religious leaders as his successor. The New York Times reported on Saturday (June 21).

The report quoted Iranian officials as saying that Ayatollah Khamenei believes that there may be an attack on his life from Israel or the United States. This fear has led him to make an unusual decision. He has submitted three names as potential successors to the 'Assembly of Experts' - who are responsible for selecting Iran's next supreme leader - and has instructed them to select one of them.

However, the names of the three nominated by Khamenei have not been made public. The report also said that his son Mojtaba Khamenei is not on Khamenei's proposed list.

Typically, the process of selecting a new supreme leader in Iran is a long one, with religious leaders selecting candidates from their own lists. However, with the country currently engaged in a direct war, Khamenei wants a quick and orderly transfer of power to ensure succession and maintain political order.

It is worth noting that on the night of June 13, Israel suddenly attacked various important installations in Iran. In the operation called ‘Operation Rising Lion’, Israeli forces struck several military bases, nuclear research centers and residential areas including the capital Tehran. In this operation, more than 400 people were killed, including the head of the Iranian Armed Forces, Mohammad Bagheri, IRGC Chief Hossein Salami, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, and 10 nuclear scientists.

In response, Iran launched ‘Operation True Promise-3’. In this retaliatory attack, Iranian ballistic missiles penetrated Israel’s advanced air defense system and hit important installations. Although the number of casualties was low, Israel suffered significant strategic losses. Many Israeli residents are currently in shelters. The conflict between the two countries is still ongoing.