Tehran, Feb. 23 -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has entrusted senior security official Ali Larijani with a central role in managing the country in case of an attack or assassination targeting the leadership, according to a report by the New York Times.

The newspaper, citing senior Iranian officials, Revolutionary Guards members and former diplomats, said Tehran has drawn up detailed contingency plans to ensure continuity of governance during a potential conflict or internal crisis.

These include naming multiple replacements for key military and political positions and allowing a trusted group to make decisions if communication with Khamenei is cut.

Senior officials have also been instructed to nominate replacements for their role...