NYT: Khamenei Had Secretly Named Three Clerics as Potential Successors Before Death

The New York Times reported that Supreme Leader Khamenei had secretly designated three senior clerics as potential successors: hardline Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i, senior aide Asghar Hejazi, and moderate Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the Islamic Republic's founder. The revelation comes as Iran's Assembly of Experts has formally begun the succession process, though analysts warn IRGC influence may override any pre-designated list given the wartime emergency.