A bombshell New York Times report claims Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has quietly mapped out a multi-layer succession plan amid fears of war and even assassination. As U.S.–Israel pressure mounts, senior security insider Ali Larijani is said to have emerged as a central power broker, sidelining President Masoud Pezeshkian and steering wartime strategy. From protest crackdowns to nuclear backchannels, Larijani’s role appears to be expanding rapidly. With missiles on alert and regional tensions soaring, Tehran may already be preparing for a zero-hour scenario.