Fresh reports suggest Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has retreated to a heavily fortified underground bunker as tensions with the United States escalate, fuelling speculation over a looming leadership transition in Tehran. With Khamenei allegedly reducing his public role, attention has shifted to his sons—Masoud and Mojtaba—who are reported to be taking on key responsibilities, deepening fears of a dynastic succession and a more hardline security posture amid rising regional military deployments.