Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly taken steps to prepare for the possibility of his assassination or removal as tensions with the United States and Israel intensify.

According to a New York Timesreport publishedon Sunday, Khamenei elevated longtime ally Ali Larijani to serve as the country’s de facto decision-maker during January’s anti-government unrest.

The move has effectively sidelined Iran’s elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian.

Larijani, a former Revolutionary Guards commander and current secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, is now taking on an expanded role in the state’s affairs.

The leader of the Islamic regime in Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei, has reportedly designated his senior adviser, Ali Larijani, to handle key state affairs in the event of his death.

The New York Times, citing senior Iranian officials and members of the IRGC command.pic.twitter.com/QeMySZHlqq

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He has overseen security responses to protests, coordinated with regional allies including Russia and Qatar, and played a central role in nuclear-related discussions involving Washington.

Although Larijani has emerged as a dominant figure, it is said he lacks the clerical credentials traditionally required to become Supreme Leader.

Other names mentioned in succession speculation include Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and former president Hassan Rouhani.

Source: The Gateway Pundit