With the looming threat of US-backed regime change, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been moved to a highly secure location. His protection is now provided by a top-secret elite unit previously unknown. Iranian officials informed the UK Telegraph that due to increasing internal threats, his security has been significantly reinforced, with bodyguards ensuring his safety at all times.
It’s believed that Israeli intelligence agencies have infiltrated various levels of Khamenei's regime. For this reason, even top officers of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are kept unaware of the unit protecting him.
At 86, Khamenei has governed Iran since 1989 and has round-the-clock security. Israeli attacks on Iran have significantly damaged nuclear facilities and killed several top military commanders and nuclear scientists. Following Israel, the US began its strikes on Iran on June 21.
An Iranian official told the UK Telegraph some time ago that 'he isn't hiding in a bunker, but his life is in danger, and he's protected by a unit nobody knows about to prevent any infiltration'.
Khamenei in a Bunker Following US Strikes on Iran
Until the US joined the Iran-Israel conflict, Khamenei wasn't in a bunker. On June 21, America joined the war, with President Trump announcing late Saturday the American military bombed three Iranian nuclear sites, including the deeply underground Fordow uranium enrichment facility, escalating the conflict.
Fear over Khamenei’s assassination has been growing, prompting him to reduce contact with trusted aides and avoid all electronic devices. Three emergency war plan sources familiar with Iran’s strategy told the New York Times that these steps aim to prevent external forces from tracking him.
Israel demands a regime change in Iran, which is unfeasible while Khamenei is alive. Israel has demonstrated its ability to execute remote assassinations against Hezbollah and other groups. In 2024, Israel assassinated several Hezbollah operatives using pager and walkie-talkie blasts. Thus, fears over Khamenei’s assassination are not unfounded, and he's living under extremely tight security.
Khamenei has long stated that Israel might attempt to assassinate him. Last week, the assassination of at least 11 senior military officials and 14 nuclear scientists in targeted operations has heightened this threat.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that removing Khamenei could bring an end to the conflict, further intensifying fears for the Supreme Leader's safety.
