Khamenei Appoints Ali Larijani to Lead Iran Amid War Threats

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has transferred de facto control of the Iranian state to Ali Larijani, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. This shift, effective since early January, marginalizes President Masoud Pezeshkian, who has publicly deferred authority to Larijani. Larijani now oversees nuclear negotiations with Washington, coordinates with allies in Russia and Qatar, and manages the lethal suppression of nationwide anti-government protests.

To ensure political survival amid threats of military strikes from the United States and Israel, Khamenei established a comprehensive contingency plan featuring four layers of succession for key military and government roles. This strategy follows a surprise Israeli strike in June that decimated Iran's senior military command. Larijani is positioned as the primary candidate for interim leadership if the Supreme Leader is killed, though his lack of senior clerical status prevents him from becoming the permanent supreme leader. Other designated successors include Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and former President Hassan Rouhani.

Iran has placed its armed forces on the highest state of alert. The military has deployed ballistic missile launchers along the western border near Iraq and on the southern shores of the Persian Gulf to target American bases. Additionally, Khamenei created a National Defense Council headed by Admiral Ali Shamkhani to manage wartime military affairs and has prepared special forces and Basij militia to maintain domestic order.