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Where is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei? Iran's Supreme leader names ‘3 successors' amid assassination scare

Where is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei? Iran's Supreme leader names ‘3 successors' amid assassination scare

Hindustan Times22-06-2025
Amid escalating Middle East conflict and rising fears of assassination, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is learnt to have taken refuge in a secure underground bunker and named three senior clerics as his possible successors, according to a report by The New York Times. Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is reportedly hiding in bunker, names three possible successors(AFP)
The move marks a dramatic shift in Iran's power structure as the country faces one of its gravest wartime threats in decades — a two-front war with Israel and US military involvement.
According to the NYT report, Ayatollah Khamenei's son, Mojtaba — a cleric with strong ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and once widely speculated to be a leading contender — has not been included among the potential successors.
Follow Iran Israel war live updates.
Another prominent figure, former conservative president Ebrahim Raisi, had also been seen as a top candidate before his death in a helicopter crash in 2024, the report said.
Questions on Khamenei's whereabouts have grown after US carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday, with President Donald Trump asking Iran to 'end the war' immediately. 'Massive security breach' in Iranian intelligence team
The 86-year-old leader, known for rarely stepping outside his heavily guarded compound in Tehran, has reportedly suspended all electronic communications and now relays instructions only through a trusted aide.
Three Iranian officials familiar with the emergency plans told NYT that this is part of a sweeping wartime protocol aimed at avoiding detection by Israel and the United States, both of which have allegedly warned of a potential assassination plot.
Also Read | Khamenei's circle issues stark warning after US strikes Iran: 'Target naval fleet'
'It is clear that we had a massive security and intelligence breach; there is no denying this,' said Mahdi Mohammadi, a senior adviser to Parliament Speaker Gen. Mohammad Ghalibaf, in an audio clip obtained by NYT. 'Our senior commanders were all assassinated within one hour.' 865 dead, Over 3000 injured in Iran
Iran-Israel war entered its tenth day on Sunday since Israel's surprise offensive. More than 865 Iranians have reportedly been killed, and 3,396 injured, according to a human rights group cited by The Associated Press.
The strikes have hit deep into Tehran and targeted Iran's nuclear scientists, military bases, and energy infrastructure.
Now with President Donald Trump at the helm, US inserted itself in the middle East conflict with airstrikes on three nuclear sites in Iran.
Washington launched its powerful B2 bombers, Bunker busters and Tomahawk missile strikes on three of Iran's nuclear sites — including the highly fortified Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan
Also Read | How China, Pak, others reacted to US airstrikes on Iran: 'Catastrophic consequences'
The strike, involving B-2 bombers and long-range assets, marks a significant expansion of hostilities and an aggressive phase of direct US attacks on Iran.
'Our objective was the destruction of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's No. 1 state sponsor of terror,' Trump said in a nationally televised address, a day after US bombed Iran.
Ayatollah Khamenei has reportedly instructed Iran's Assembly of Experts — the powerful clerical body that selects the Supreme Leader — to be prepared to appoint his successor from the three candidates he has named, should he be killed. Typically, such a transition would take months, but Khamenei's directive seeks to ensure a 'quick, orderly transition,' the report notes.
'It is clear that we had a massive security and intelligence breach; there is no denying this,' said Mahdi Mohammadi, a senior adviser to Parliament Speaker Gen. Mohammad Ghalibaf, in an audio clip obtained by NYT. 'Our senior commanders were all assassinated within one hour.'
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Thailand-Cambodia clashes enter Day 2: Is a war looming large?
Thailand-Cambodia clashes enter Day 2: Is a war looming large?

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  • First Post

Thailand-Cambodia clashes enter Day 2: Is a war looming large?

Thailand and Cambodia aren't backing down. The two Southeast Asian neighbours began Friday with heavy weapon firing, which has now extended to 12 locations along the disputed border. The clashes have also prompted Thailand's acting PM to say that it could lead to 'a war' read more A Thai military mobile unit fires towards Cambodia's side after Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day, in Surin, Thailand. Reuters War clouds loom large over Southeast Asia as the clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have entered day 2 on Friday, July 25. Clashes that began on Thursday resumed early on Friday, the Thai military reported, as the two countries fight in their bloodiest military clashes in over a decade. 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Death, destruction and displacement As a result of two days of intense firing between Cambodia and Thailand, a total of 16 people have died. Moreover, Thai officials said 138,000 people from four border provinces had been evacuated. In Surin, evacuee Ngerntra Pranoram said she was 'shocked' by the fighting. 'Nobody wants this to happen. I feel for the elderly and the disabled. It's very difficult for them to get here,' she said, according to Reuters. 'Some people have cars, which is good, but for those who don't, it's really hard.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Seamstress Pornpan Sooksai also told AP, 'I just heard, boom, boom. We already prepared the cages, clothes and everything, so we ran and carried our things to the car. I was frightened, scared.' Rattana Meeying, another evacuee, said she had also lived through the 2011 clashes between the two countries but described this flare-up as worse. 'Children, old people, were hit out of the blue," she said. 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Michael Buehler, a reader in comparative politics at SOAS, University of London, told The Guardian that the current fights is heading towards a bigger crisis owing to a dangerous mix of nationalism, military posturing, and political fragility in both countries. 'With both governments under pressure and national pride at stake, there's a real risk of further deterioration,' he added. World calls for calm Even as Thailand warns of a war, the international community is seeking peace. In fact, the United Nations chief has called on both countries to show restraint. In a statement, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres asked Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their escalating border dispute through dialogue. Moreover, the UN Security Council is expected to convene an emergency meeting on the crisis later today in New York. Earlier, countries such as China, Malaysia and even the United States have offered to mediate between the two Southeast Asian neighbours. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in a Facebook post late Thursday he had spoken with Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. He called on both sides to stop fighting and seek a diplomatic solution. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD And on Friday, a spokesperson from the Thai foreign ministry said that it was open to Malaysia mediating in efforts. 'We are ready, if Cambodia would like to settle this matter via diplomatic channels, bilaterally, or even through Malaysia, we are ready to do that. But so far we have not had any response,' Nikorndej Balankura told AFP. However, there are conflicting reports on this issue. In a Reuters report, Balankura has rejected any foreign mediation efforts. 'We stand by our position that bilateral mechanism is the best way out,' he told the news agency. With inputs from agencies

Zelenskyy says Russian negotiators have 'begun to discuss' possible Putin meeting
Zelenskyy says Russian negotiators have 'begun to discuss' possible Putin meeting

The Hindu

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  • The Hindu

Zelenskyy says Russian negotiators have 'begun to discuss' possible Putin meeting

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Democrats' ‘Autopsy' Flop
Democrats' ‘Autopsy' Flop

Hindustan Times

timean hour ago

  • Hindustan Times

Democrats' ‘Autopsy' Flop

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