Iranian officials are considering removing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the Supreme Leader of Iran after the country endured airstrikes by Israel and the United States, two sources involved in the discussions told The Atlantic in a report published on Sunday.
The plot to replace the supreme leader is being planned by a group of businessmen, military and political figures, and relatives and high-ranking clerics, the report said.
“Ours is just one idea,” a source told The Atlantic. “Tehran is now full of such plots. They are also talking to Europeans about the future of Iran. Everybody knows Khamenei’s days are numbered. Even if he stays in office, he won’t have actual power.”
The Atlantic reported that Iranian officials felt this sentiment even before the US strikes. However, sources noted that the alleged plots could go the opposite way.
“I think the chances of us succeeding to somehow sideline Khamenei have now increased. But we are all worried and not sure. It could also go exactly the opposite way.”
Iran's Assembly of Experts, which appoints the supreme leader, would have to vote to remove him from his position, but The Atlantic noted that organizing a vote would be unlikely while Tehran is under airstrikes.
The officials said that former Iranian president Hassan Rouhani is being considered by the Iranian officials for a key role but stressed that he was not involved in the discussions to replace Khamenei.
Some of the sources mentioned that they want to reach a deal with US President Donald Trump, while others wish for the Islamic Republic to respond to the US's airstrikes.
Iranian officials communicated with other US outlets on Khamenei's condition
Earlier in the day, before The Atlantic report, three other Iranian officials told The New York Times under anonymity that Khamenei had barred all electronic communications and spoke to commanders through a “trusted aide” in fear of assassination.
The NYT, citing the officials, said that the supreme leader was "rattled" by Israel's security echelon and its infiltration into the Islamic Republic.
It also previously reported that Khamenei named three senior clerics as candidates to succeed him as supreme leader if he is assassinated.