Iran has secretly chosen its next Supreme Leader as the current ayatollah, 85-year-old Ali Khamenei, is battling a serious illness, according to a report.

Tehran has chosen Khamenei’s second son, Mujtaba Khamenei, as the country’s next president, Israeli media Ynet News reported, citing Iran International, an Iranian media outlet with ties to opponents of the Iranian regime.

The report also stated that Khamenei may abdicate soon because he is struggling with a serious health condition.

The election was held on September 26, after 60 members of Iran’s Assembly of Experts met at the request of Khamenei. This very unusual and secret meeting was held without prior notice and the purpose was to determine the successor of the Supreme Leader. Negotiations were held at the meeting and eventually it was unanimously decided to select Mojtaba as his successor. Ynet added that the decision was taken at the insistence of Khamenei and his representatives and that there were also threats.

Members were also told to keep the meeting top secret for fear of public protests. Members were told that any leaks would have consequences.

The report cited sources who said Khamenei plans to hand over the reins to Mojtaba during his lifetime to ensure a smooth transition. This is also to prevent any opposition that may arise after his death.

Mojtaba’s election did not come as a surprise because he had been preparing for the leadership for some time and then began to actively play a prominent role in government circles.

Selecting his successor became a priority after the conflict with Israel and the revelation that Israeli spies had infiltrated the Islamic Republic’s hard-line intelligence and security infrastructure. The killings of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran led Khamenei to isolate himself for protection and allow access to only a handful of loyalists. His son Mojtaba is reportedly the only person he can trust and influence as a future leader, according to the Atlantic Council.

Although he rarely speaks publicly, Mojtaba is a familiar name in Iran; He is said to be one of the masterminds behind the violent crackdown that followed the 2009 elections that brought Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power for a second term. This September, Mojtaba spoke to the world for the first time via a video message, announcing that he would not be continuing his virtual seminary classes for students abroad.

Two years ago, he was given the title of Ayatollah, thus giving him the most important constitutional prerequisite for the role of Supreme Leader.