Amid growing military tension between Israeli and Iran, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been transferred to an underground bunker in the north-eastern Lavizan of Tehran. According to Iran International report, Khamenei along with all the family members including his son Mojtaba is also in the bunker. The move was taken up after Israeli’s air strikes began on Friday, June 13, targeting Iran’s military and nuclear bases.
Israel attacked Tehran and other areas under ‘Operation Rising Lion’, killing top military commanders and nuclear scientists. According to Iran’s Ministry of Health, 224 people were killed in four days, of which 90% were citizens. In response, Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv as part of the ‘True Promise 3’ operation, killing 14 people and 390 injured. Khamenei has warned Israel of “rigorous punishment”.
According to reports, the Israeli attack on Mashhad on Sunday was warned for Khamenei that he was not safe anywhere. Sources claim that Israel could already target Khamenei at night, but US President Donald Trump vetoed the plan. Trump gave Iran a two -month offer for two months to close his uranium enhancement program, which was turned down by Khamenei.
Iran termed Israeli attacks as “crime on residential areas” and in response threatened to “open the doors of hell”. Global leaders, who are meeting in Canada, are worried about the possibility of converting this struggle into a regional war. India has issued a helpline to evacuate its citizens. Khamenei’s presence in bunker and Iran’s military weakness has promoted internal dissatisfaction in the country.
