Rome, June 21 (LaPresse) – Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is said to have named three senior clerics to replace him in case he is killed. The New York Times reports this, citing three Iranian officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Ayatollah reportedly decided to instruct Iran’s Assembly of Experts — the clerical body responsible for appointing the Supreme Leader — to quickly choose his successor from the three names he indicated.
Normally, the process of appointing a new Supreme Leader would take months, but with the nation now at war, Khamenei wants to ensure a swift and orderly transition and preserve his legacy, officials explain.
According to the sources, the Ayatollah’s son, Mojtaba, is not among the three candidates.