Iran Delays Public Announcement of New Supreme Leader Over Assassination Fears, NYT Reports

Iran is deliberately postponing the official public announcement of its newly selected Supreme Leader out of fear that naming the cleric will make him an immediate assassination target for Israel and the United States, the New York Times reported. The decision reflects deep concerns within Iran's ruling establishment as the country endures ongoing US-Israeli military strikes that have already killed former Supreme Leader Khamenei and targeted succession proceedings. By withholding the public announcement, Iranian officials hope to shield the designated successor from the kind of targeted strikes that have decimated the country's leadership structure since the conflict began on February 28.