In a post on the social media platform X written in Farsi, the Israeli military said it would continue to pursue “every successor” to Khamenei. The message also warned individuals involved in the process of appointing a new supreme leader that they could be targeted.The warning comes as Iran’s clerical body responsible for selecting the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader prepares to convene to determine Khamenei’s successor.Leadership succession under scrutinyIran’s supreme leader is selected by the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body tasked with appointing and overseeing the country’s highest authority.

The leader holds ultimate power over Iran’s military, judiciary and key state institutions.Israel’s statement suggests it is seeking to deter or disrupt the succession process following the reported killing of Khamenei in joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.Regional tensions intensifyThe remarks underscore mounting regional tensions as Iran faces a leadership vacuum and uncertainty over its political future.Israel has repeatedly warned it would act against Iranian leadership and military structures it views as threats to its security.

The dispute has exposed cracks within the Islamic Republic’s leadership following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a week ago, a development that has removed a central authority who for decades suppressed factional rivalries within the system.Sources close to Iran’s leadership, speaking from inside the country on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, told Reuters that tensions among senior officials have intensified as the war escalates and key figures have been killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes.The conflict has placed unprecedented pressure on the country’s governing institutions, with military, political and clerical leaders struggling to coordinate responses while maintaining internal cohesion.Backlash over Pezeshkian remarks.The divisions became more visible after Pezeshkian said Iran would suspend attacks on neighbouring states unless strikes against Iran originated from their territory.The remarks were intended to reduce tensions with Gulf governments following Iranian attacks on facilities linked to U.S. forces in the region. However, they triggered a rapid backlash from hardline factions inside Iran who viewed the statement as a concession at a time of military confrontation.Officials close to the leadership said the controversy highlighted deeper disagreements within the ruling hierarchy over how to conduct the war and manage relations with regional states.While pragmatic figures have signalled an interest in reducing regional escalation, hardliners have argued for a more aggressive response to the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iranian targets.Revolutionary Guards expand influence

As the conflict intensifies, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are playing a growing role in shaping military and strategic decisions, according to people familiar with the leadership dynamics.The Guards, one of the most powerful institutions within the Islamic Republic, have moved to assert greater influence despite suffering heavy losses from targeted strikes that killed several senior commanders.The decapitation campaign against Iranian military leaders has added strain to the country’s command structure while reinforcing the Guards’ determination to maintain operational control.Sources said the combination of battlefield pressure and leadership losses has contributed to heightened tensions among the country’s remaining senior officials.Push to name new supreme leaderAmid the uncertainty, Iran’s clerical establishment is accelerating efforts to appoint a new supreme leader to replace Khamenei.According to sources familiar with the process, a decision on the succession could come as early as Sunday, although it remains unclear whether a new leader will command sufficient authority to contain factional disputes.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s son, is widely seen as a leading candidate. He is believed to have backing from the Revolutionary Guards and influential figures within his father’s office.However, his potential elevation has faced resistance from moderates within the political establishment. Critics argue that he lacks the seniority of more experienced ayatollahs and remains largely untested in Iran’s complex political hierarchy.The debate over succession underscores the broader challenges confronting Iran’s leadership as it navigates a war that officials describe as an existential threat to the Islamic Republic.