Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has appointed Ali Larijani as his successor and transferred significant authority to him amid escalating tensions with the United States, according to a report by The New York Times.

Citing six senior Iranian officials, three members of the Revolutionary Guards, and two former diplomats, the newspaper reported that Tehran has stepped up wide-ranging preparations to confront a potential war scenario.

Since early January, following domestic protests and increasing threats from Washington, Larijani has effectively taken charge of sensitive political and security matters.

The 67-year-old Larijani, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, currently heads Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The report said he is also overseeing ongoing negotiations with the United States and enjoys the full confidence of Khamenei.

According to the newspaper, even routine diplomatic contacts require his clearance.

In one instance cited, permission was reportedly sought from Larijani before US envoy Steve Witkoff attempted to contact Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The report further claimed that Khamenei has devised a four-tier succession system.

For every military or government post under his authority, four alternative candidates have been designated. Commanders have also been instructed to identify potential successors in advance.

In addition, the Supreme Leader has authorised a limited circle of close associates to make decisions if communication with him is severed or if he is targeted in an attack.

In the event of war, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf could be entrusted with command of the armed forces, the report said. If senior leadership suffers losses, Larijani could top the list for interim authority, while Ghalibaf and former president Hassan Rouhani are also said to be under consideration.

Iranian officials are reportedly taking seriously the possibility that any strike could target Khamenei and his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.

In that context, there have been reports of missile deployments along the Persian Gulf coast and armed forces placed on high alert.

While diplomatic negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program remain ongoing and the possibility of an agreement still exists, the leadership is simultaneously preparing for the worst-case scenario.

Officials told the newspaper that multiple contingency plans have been developed to ensure continuity of the state, including clear arrangements for who would assume control if top leaders are killed.

The report added that Iranian authorities are also considering who would lead negotiations with the outside world in an emergency — similar to the role played by Delcy Rodríguez during the crisis involving President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.

Under the current circumstances, President Masoud Pezeshkian appears willing to transfer significant powers to Larijani, analysts said.

They noted that while tensions with the United States are rising, Tehran is keeping diplomatic channels open and crafting a strategy that accounts for both confrontation and negotiation.