Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei relocates amid heightened security concerns
Following Israel’s assassination of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been moved to a secure location within Iran, sources revealed to Reuters.
This development comes amidst elevated security measures and intensified regional tensions.
Recall that Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) recently ordered members to cease using communication devices after thousands of Hezbollah’s pagers and walkie-talkies were compromised. Lebanon and Hezbollah attribute the attacks to Israel, which neither confirmed nor denied involvement.
Regional officials briefed by Tehran reported Khamenei’s relocation and disclosed Iran’s ongoing consultations with Hezbollah and other proxy groups to determine their next course of action.
Israel’s strikes on Beirut resulted in the deaths of Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guards’ deputy commander Abbas Nilforoushan. Additional IRGC commanders have been killed since the Gaza War’s onset.
Khamenei issued statements vowing, “The fate of this region will be determined by the forces of resistance, with Hezbollah at the forefront.” “The blood of the martyr shall not go unavenged.” He also announced five days of mourning to honour Nasrallah.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States of complicity in Nasrallah’s killing, stating: “The Americans cannot deny their complicity with the Zionists.”
A thorough investigation into potential infiltration by Israeli agents is underway within the Revolutionary Guards.
