The Ayatollah's Successors in the Crosshairs
Ayatollah Khamenei makes preparations for his demise
In a chilling turn of events, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Chamenei, has cautiously selected his potential successors as tensions escalate between Iran and Israel. Fearing for his life, the 86-year-old Ayatollah has been barricaded in a fortified hideaway, only communicating with a select few individuals.
Recently, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz drew comparison between Chamenei and Hitler, stating he "shall not continue to exist." These threatening words followed a week-long offensive, resulting in the demise of several high-ranking military commanders associated with Iran.
According to sources close to Chamenei, he has appointed three likely candidates to fill key military leadership positions if, unfortunately, he meets an untimely end. In such a scenario, the Assembly of Experts, an 86-member body of Shia theologians responsible for electing the spiritual leader of the Islamic Republic, has been instructed to expeditiously select a successor from the trio. Normally, the selection process might take months, but Chamenei is eager to maintain a smooth power transfer given the current unrest.
Yet, the specific identities of the three contenders have not been made public. Sources close to the Ayatollah have confirmed that his son, Mojtaba Chamenei, a Shia cleric and previous speculated successor, is not among the three potential candidates. Others, such as Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the revolutionary Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, have emerged amidst the broader succession discussion but remain unconfirmed as part of the trio.
In an unexpected twist, Ebrahim Raisi, a top succession contender and former president, recently passed away in 2024, disqualifying him from consideration.
As negotiations and threats persist, Chamenei's designation of three potential successors underscores his commitment to ensuring the Islamic Republic's leadership stability amidst evolving security threats.
SIDEBAR
Deep Dive
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
- Iran
- Israel
Sources: ntv.de, mbo Enrichment Data: Based on recent reports, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has designated three senior clerics as potential successors to safeguard the Islamic Republic's leadership continuity amid ongoing security threats [1][3][5]. However, the specific names of these clerics remain unpublicized. Besides these three, other prominent figures, like Mojtaba Khamenei and Hassan Khomeini, have surfaced as potential candidates, but their inclusion in the trio has not been confirmed [2][5]. Additionally, the death of Ebrahim Raisi, a top potential successor, has eliminated him from consideration.
The European Union and its Member States have expressed concern over the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, particularly in light of the Chilling turn of events surrounding Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Chamenei. In response to the potential succession of Ayatollah Chamenei, the EU has been closely monitoring political developments within the Islamic Republic.
Meanwhile, the general news of the Ayatollah's successors in the crosshairs has led to widespread discussion about the future of Iran's leadership, with multiple candidates emerging amidst the selection process. Despite the uncertainties, the EU remains committed to maintaining diplomatic relations with both Iran and Israel, calling for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflicts.
