Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has given three names for his successor, claims an American newspaper.

Khamenei has also selected names for military command as substitutes in the event of the martyrdom of his important commanders.

An American newspaper has claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has taken the extraordinary step of proposing the names of three clerics as candidates for his successor in the event of his martyrdom.

According to a report by The New York Times, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei communicates with his commanders through a trusted advisor due to fears of being targeted, and he has abandoned the use of electronic means for communication to make access more difficult.

The report claims that Ayatollah Khamenei, who has moved to an underground bunker, has also selected military commander alternatives in case of the martyrdom of his most important commanders.

The newspaper reported that Ayatollah Khamenei has taken the extraordinary step of nominating three leading clerics as candidates for his succession in case of his martyrdom, and this action is depicted as a reflection of uncertainty during his 30-year rule.

The Supreme Leader has taken several extremely extraordinary measures for the survival of Islamic democracy in Iran following the Israeli attacks.

The attacks launched by Israel a week ago are the most dangerous military campaign since the war with Iraq in the 1980s, and they have had significant effects on Iran.

The damage inflicted by a week of Israeli attacks is far greater than the losses incurred during eight years of the Iraq war.

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Initially, after the significant damage, Iran responded vigorously by striking Israel, targeting the Haifa oil refinery, military centers, and other strategic buildings, and partially damaging a hospital.

Under the condition of anonymity, Iranian officials have stated that high-ranking Iranian authorities are quietly preparing to deal with the effects of the war, while on the other hand, U.S. President Donald Trump is considering direct involvement in the war.

Diplomatic sources and officials in Iran have indicated that the top leadership could face difficulties; however, the Iranian leadership remains actively engaged in a vigorous manner despite challenging circumstances, and there is no hint of any political disagreement at this time.

Officials stated that Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is aware that Israel or the United States may attempt to assassinate him, and he would accept such an assassination as martyrdom.

Considering these possibilities, he has informed the Council of Experts of his nation about extraordinary decisions.

They reported that the Council of Experts, responsible for electing a new Supreme Leader, will immediately select one of the aforementioned three names as his successor.

Officials further noted that typically, the process of electing a new Supreme Leader can take months, as the scholars provide their list of names; but given the nation is in a state of war, Ayatollah Khamenei wants the selection of a Supreme Leader to happen quickly and for the powers to be transferred peacefully to ensure the preservation of his values.

Iranian officials reported that the name of Ayatollah Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, has also circulated as a potential successor, but he is not included among the three mentioned names.

Will Nasser, an expert on Iranian affairs and a professor of international relations at Johns Hopkins University, stated that the primary priority is the protection of the state, and this has all been done with careful thought and practical demonstration.

The issue of the supreme leader’s succession has been extremely complex and difficult, with very little discussion at the public level, often limited to speculation and rumors among political and religious circles.

In Iran, the supreme leader possesses immense powers; he serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, as well as the head of the judiciary, legislature, and executive.

Officials noted that the national leadership is facing concerns on three fronts: attempts to assassinate Ayatollah Khamenei, the involvement of the US in this war, and fears regarding attacks on Iran’s vital infrastructure, including power plants, oil and gas refineries, and dams.