As the war between Israel and Iran heats up, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is reportedly making end-of-days plans. According to insiders, the reclusive theocrat has selected three potential successors in the event he is “forcibly removed from the earth”—a veiled reference to assassination or Israeli airstrike. But notably, his own son Mojtaba Khamenei, once thought to be a frontrunner, isn’t on the list.

Khamenei, now 86, is reportedly holed up in a bunker, mirroring the final years of Osama Bin Laden. The embattled leader has drastically reduced communication with the outside world, relying on a trusted aide and avoiding electronic contact to prevent detection. The fear is real—and for good reason. Israel has decimated a string of top Iranian commanders with precision strikes, and American B-2 stealth bombers are rumored to be en route to the region.

Succession Plan Leaked Amid Crisis

Three senior clerics have allegedly been tapped as successors to Khamenei. Their identities remain secret, but the very act of naming them underscores the unprecedented pressure on Iran’s regime. Multiple Iranian officials familiar with Khamenei’s emergency war protocols confirmed the selection of successors as part of broader contingency planning.

While there’s no official confirmation, the exclusion of Mojtaba Khamenei is a surprise. The younger Khamenei, a cleric closely aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), had long been assumed to be groomed for the role. But the omission may reflect internal divisions, shifting alliances, or an effort to avoid accusations of dynastic succession.

Former Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi was also considered a likely successor until his death in a helicopter crash in 2024, which further scrambled Tehran’s succession chessboard.

Ayatollah’s Grip on Power—and What’s at Stake

The stakes couldn’t be higher. As Supreme Leader, Khamenei holds an iron grip over Iran’s entire government. He is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, head of the judiciary, and ultimate authority over the legislature and executive. He also holds the religious title of Vali Faqih, making him the top cleric in the Shiite theocracy.

His death or removal would trigger a political earthquake in a country already on the brink.

“If you need any more evidence that the ayatollah is shaking in his boots, look no further than him identifying his three stooges,” one anonymous source close to the White House told the New York Post. That may be crude language, but it reflects a growing sentiment in the West that Iran’s leadership is deeply shaken by the recent series of blows from Israel—and possibly from within.

Israel’s Psychological Victory

Israel’s dominance in the skies and successful decapitation strikes on Iran’s top brass have reportedly rattled the regime. Some experts, like Iran watcher Gabriel Noronha, speculate that Khamenei is playing “3D chess” with his succession picks—possibly to confuse rivals or bait Western intelligence into a misstep.

But others believe this is no game. The desperation of Iran’s leadership may be why the Ayatollah is going public, however indirectly, with his own survival strategy.

It’s not just about military calculations anymore—it’s about legacy, control, and the fear of a regime imploding under pressure. As one Iranian official put it, “Everything is in motion. No one knows who’s in charge tomorrow if something happens.”

The Clock Is Ticking

Whether Khamenei’s preemptive succession plan will hold up if he’s killed—or whether it’s already too late—is anyone’s guess. Like the final years of the Soviet Union, Iran’s regime now appears to be ruled more by fear and survival than ideology or stability.

For Western observers, especially those in the U.S., this moment may mark the beginning of the end for the Islamic Republic. Whether that end comes from within or by way of a missile strike remains to be seen.

But one thing is clear: the Ayatollah is preparing for the worst. And his son, once seen as the heir apparent, is watching from the sidelines.