In Bunker, Khamenei Names Possible Successors Amid War

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prepares for worst-case scenarios

As Israeli strikes intensify, Iran’s Supreme Leader prepares for worst-case scenarios, including his own assassination.

Amid escalating Israeli airstrikes that have rocked Iran’s capital, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly taken refuge in a secure underground bunker, according to three senior Iranian officials with knowledge of his war contingency plans.

Fearing targeted assassination by Israel or the United States, the 86-year-old cleric has suspended most electronic communications, relying instead on a close aide to relay orders to military commanders. The decision reflects both the severity of the threat and Khamenei's determination to maintain control of the Islamic Republic during its most volatile moment in decades.

Contingency Plans for Military and Political Succession

Khamenei has outlined a detailed line of succession, not only for his military chain of command which has lost key commanders in recent strikes—but also for his own position as Supreme Leader. In an unprecedented step, he has submitted the names of three senior clerics to the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for selecting Iran’s next leader, in case of his death.

“The top priority is preservation of the state,” said Iran expert Vali Nasr. “It is all calculated and pragmatic.”

This move is seen as a stark acknowledgment of the existential crisis Iran now faces following a week of Israeli assaults, the most intense since the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s.

War's Toll on Tehran: A City Under Siege

Since Israeli forces launched surprise attacks last Friday, Tehran has been battered with airstrikes that have killed hundreds and injured thousands. Targets have included military bases, nuclear facilities, and even the homes of high-ranking commanders. The scale of destruction in just a few days is reportedly greater than what Saddam Hussein inflicted on the city during eight years of war.

Israel's strikes have killed top Iranian military officials and exposed deep flaws in Iran's security and intelligence networks. Covert Israeli operatives and domestic collaborators are believed to have smuggled drones and missile parts into Iran months in advance, catching the regime by surprise.

Public Silence, Private Mobilization

Khamenei has addressed the nation only twice since the war began, via pre-recorded video messages filmed in his bunker beside the Iranian flag and heavy curtains. In one message, he declared, “The people of Iran will stand against a forced war. We will not surrender.”

Typically based in the highly fortified "beit rahbari" (leader’s compound) in central Tehran, Khamenei rarely leaves his residence. But the gravity of this moment has driven him into seclusion, underscoring how deeply Tehran has been shaken.

Excluded from Succession: Mojtaba and Raisi

Interestingly, Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader’s influential cleric son once rumored to be his heir, was excluded from the succession shortlist. So too was former President Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash in 2024 and had been considered a strong contender.

This suggests Khamenei is prioritizing institutional stability over dynastic continuity or personal loyalties.

Iran Fights a Two-Front War

Beyond the aerial assaults, Iran believes it is also battling a covert ground war. Officials report Israeli-aligned cells launching drone strikes from within Iranian territory, hitting critical energy infrastructure and military sites.

“It’s clear we experienced a massive security and intelligence failure,” admitted Mahdi Mohammadi, a top adviser to Iran’s parliamentary speaker, in a leaked audio briefing. “Our senior commanders were assassinated within an hour. We failed to detect the enemy’s preparation months in advance.”

A Nation at a Crossroads

With U.S. President Donald Trump weighing whether to join the conflict, Iran’s leadership is bracing for multiple scenarios. Diplomats and insiders say the political structure is still holding for now but dissent is simmering beneath the surface.

Khamenei’s rare move to pre-emptively name his successors shows that even as he vows defiance, he is also preparing for the unthinkable: the end of his reign and the transfer of power in wartime. Also read this.