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Iran Scrambles to Find Khamenei's Successor Amid Israeli Strikes

Reuters: Iran’s leadership is quietly but urgently preparing for the possible death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose health and authority appear increasingly fragile amid the Israeli military campaign. According to multiple Iranian sources, the Assembly of Experts has dramatically ramped up its search in recent days, fearing that a power vacuum could destabilize the regime. “If Khamenei dies, they want a successor in place immediately,” one insider said. While any replacement will be required to uphold the core principles of the Islamic Revolution, Reuters notes that internal discussions include the possibility of choosing someone with a more "moderate" tone, potentially to ease growing domestic unrest and mounting external pressure. Currently, the two frontrunners are 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader’s influential but controversial son, and 53-year-old Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of revolutionary founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. However, a recent New York Times report cast doubt on Mojtaba’s viability, citing internal resistance to a dynastic transfer of power in a republic founded on anti-monarchic ideals.