86-year-old Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is reportedly taking refuge in a fortified bunker after Israel declared it would not rule out assassinating him, the NYTimes reported on 21/6, citing three high-ranking Iranian officials.

These officials said Khamenei has selected three clerics as potential successors. He wants to ensure a smooth transition of power in the worst-case scenario to protect his legacy and prevent Iran from falling into internal conflict amid external tensions.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran on 21/3. Photo: AP

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran on 21/3. Photo: AP

The sources did not name the three candidates nominated by Khamenei, but his son, Mojtaba, is not among them.

He has also designated replacements for military commanders in case more officials are killed by Israeli attacks. According to the sources, Iran's leadership and command structure remains operational and shows no signs of paralysis after Israel killed several high-ranking officers in the army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Iranian intelligence has also ordered all high-ranking government officials and military commanders to go into hiding and operate clandestinely due to the possibility of becoming targets of Israeli intelligence and military attacks.

Iranian officials have also been instructed to stop using electronic communications, including mobile phones. Supreme Leader Khamenei now communicates with commanders only through trusted aides.

There are reports that former US President Donald Trump blocked Israel's plan to assassinate Khamenei over concerns it would escalate the conflict. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has left the possibility open, suggesting that targeting the supreme leader could end the conflict.

Since launching Operation "Roaring Lion" on 13/6, Israel has killed at least 11 Iranian generals, along with several of the country's top nuclear scientists.

The Israeli-Iranian conflict shows no signs of abating, especially after the US launched airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. The conflict has so far killed at least 225 and injured 1,480 in Iran, and killed 24 and injured nearly 900 in Israel.

Ngoc Anh (According to Times of Israel, NDTV, Hindustan Times)