Exclusive: Prior to Iran attacks, CIA assessed Khamenei could be replaced by hardline IRGC elements if killed, sources say - Reuters
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
CIA assessed that Iran's Supreme Leader could be replaced by hardliners if killed.
AI Summary
Prior to recent attacks in Iran, the CIA assessed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's death could lead to hardline IRGC elements replacing him. This assessment was based on intelligence gathered by the CIA. The evaluation considered the potential for internal power shifts within Iran.
Source Coverage Map
20 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
National SecurityExclusive: U.S. dismissed Ukraine deal for anti-Iran drone tech last year
<p>Nearly seven months ago, Ukrainian officials tried to sell the U.S. their battle-proven technology for downing Iranian-made attack drones. They even made a PowerPoint presentation — obtained exclusively by Axios — showing how it could protect American forces and their allies in a <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/iran-war-countries-gulf-qatar-us" target="_blank">Middle East war</a>.</p><ul><li>The Trump administration dismissed the Ukrainians, only to reverse course last week because of <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/04/politics/us-air-defenses-iran-attack-drones-challenge" target="_blank">more-than-expected </a>drone strikes from Iran.</li></ul><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>Snubbing Ukraine's offer ranks as one of the biggest tactical miscalculations by the administration since the bombing of Iran began Feb. 28, two U.S. officials tell Axios.</p><hr><ul><li>Iran's inexpensive Shahed drones have been linked to the deaths of seven U.S. service members, and have...
National SecurityExclusive: US intelligence says Iran government is not at risk of collapse, say sources - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixwFBVV95cUxPVkc0amxITVJ2TWtxcmtBdTRsWTNFTnBXazNQcXh3UHJrV2NUNEZobERQSE5GUXV3dWMtTzFOYjJ6aHVRcUcyTkt3WjZMZGJnQ2RQRFNkM0QzOFlsT0NUeHkxcHZTcHBSQTg1ZDdoeDNjV29pSWhuU29vSnB5UTlsdU9nYl9pQ0JoTk1UQ09CRmo1ak5lbnBLNXJVY19YRC03VlJFdWdtOGVYMXU4MlVVeXBuQWNMRmN5Q0I0NXlGMXFZSk9QV29V?oc=5" target="_blank">Exclusive: US intelligence says Iran government is not at risk of collapse, say sources</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
GlobalIran’s sports minister says the country can’t take part in the World Cup because of US attacks - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxOQ2pHMzh6RVN3alF2UWFnVmc5c1kzbEtUSmtXcHZNd0FhSWUyMHlpSDkzWmcxbldhLWlOajh2Q3ZDZ21Jc09nLWc4WGpvNk9sclJDalN6WGtPVHZTcGZ0cW5fVldJNVNkNUVlaDZkOFl6ZkhpUFJmdURkT0xNbE1tQnBZbTFLdWY0M1ljRzdfd2h5aWs?oc=5" target="_blank">Iran’s sports minister says the country can’t take part in the World Cup because of US attacks</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
GlobalShips identify themselves as Chinese around Strait of Hormuz during Iran war to avoid attacks - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxOVUpwQk16LVZaNFRONURFaGRpVHZmYkJFblJaNE83dmZONFVSYWRvYmk0OHRPMHBwWUhGRDlycmx0VHBmdUp5NnpHWFlkUmFfOFVhMGt2NENMbUFDanJlaGZBNEpnSWxXckhGWmJHOTF1aVY3V25pY0ZybHQ0OHBaS3IweFpOVEdIWmFSNGZsZTM1dmdvZ2lPZi1KNA?oc=5" target="_blank">Ships identify themselves as Chinese around Strait of Hormuz during Iran war to avoid attacks</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
GlobalIran's unrelenting attacks on Mideast shipping and energy infrastructure send oil prices up again - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMioAFBVV95cUxOT3UyV1FyQ2VRM3VLV2JXaUhzNWpzYUUyYnotbnkybzc2X1Jaakh4ZlRwcE1QaFkwUU94YTN0RVBnVEV1amRPYzd4WFdiczNwTWhtTVZHYXU3NlY3YllCMG9hRkdDUFp0bEdJNnZBX1hXUi1QY1ZoNmNZUGVyTW9rNDQ0ZHNKcHZ0Y2R1OWtheFhkQVVKVWlpU0Z4enFpRVZ1?oc=5" target="_blank">Iran's unrelenting attacks on Mideast shipping and energy infrastructure send oil prices up again</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
National SecurityU.S. weighs sending special forces into Iran to destroy nuclear stockpile, Axios reports
Marc Caputo, who covers the White House for Axios, joins CBS News 24/7 to discuss his report on the U.S. weighing the use of special forces in Iran to destroy its stockpiles, and more details on the U.S. possibly being at odds with Israel over its strikes on Iran's fuel depots.

Trump says US destroyed every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, threatens oil infrastructure if tankers blocked
President Trump said on Friday that the U.S. military conducted one of the most “powerful” bombing raids and totally “obliterated” every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, one of the country’s most vital economic outposts. The president said that for “reasons of decency,” the U.S. military did not wipe out the oil infrastructure on the…
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Whitmer's office calls for probe into why weather service didn't issue tornado watch - The Detroit News

Defense official reveals how AI chatbots could be used for targeting decisions

Rubio designates Afghanistan as ‘state sponsor of wrongful detention’

Senate Democrat calls for investigation into Texas drone incidents

WADA to weigh barring Trump, US officials from LA Olympics and possibly World Cup over unpaid dues - AP News




