Media: Secret Talks To Replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Have Begun
- 21.06.2025, 9:30
They are led by American and European officials.
The 40-year era of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran appears to be coming to an end. U.S. and European officials are holding secret talks about replacing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the candidacy of his possible successor.
This was reported by the Maariv website, citing the CBS television channel. The article says that the Iranian regime is functioning at an increasingly low level of control. Entire links in the control chain have been ripped out because of pinpoint eliminations. Communications are disrupted, cyberattacks continue unabated. All this prevents American and European diplomats from reaching senior officials directly.
But despite Israeli strikes on Iran and Iranian diplomacy's declarations of willingness to "show flexibility," control over decision-making in Tehran remains in the hands of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Unnamed senior CBS sources in diplomatic circles said that, the elderly leader is battling cancer and is in hiding for fear of being assassinated.
Maariv reports that secret talks are underway between American and European officials about Khamenei's replacement and the possible identity of his successor. Various scenarios for regime collapse are being worked out, with an emphasis on who would control the nuclear facilities. The possible environmental consequences of an attack on the Fordow facility are also being discussed.
At the same time, nothing has been formally decided yet. U.S. President Donald Trump estimates that the window of opportunity for diplomatic efforts on Iran will close in two weeks. At that point, the US will consider direct military intervention.