Iran's supreme leader relocates to underground bunker amidst rising US-Iran tensions, hands over command to son
Tehran (The Uttam Hindu): Tensions between Iran and America have reached its peak. A very sensitive report has come out about Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Due to the fear of American air strike, 86-year-old Khamenei has gone to an impenetrable underground bunker in Tehran. Top Iranian army officials had warned him on the basis of intelligence input that America could launch an airstrike at any time. It is being told that this bunker is connected to many secret tunnels, so that he can be evacuated safely in any emergency.
Temporary command in the hands of son Masood Khamenei
With the Supreme Leader going underground, a major change has also been made to the country's power structure. According to reports, Khamenei has handed over the responsibility of day-to-day administrative operations to his youngest son, 53-year-old Masoud Khamenei. Masoud currently serves as the main liaison between the government's executive branch and other branches of power. He has been temporarily given the responsibility of overseeing key decisions, indicating that Iran is preparing for the worst.
Trump sent a warship, the situation became tense
Meanwhile, an order by US President Donald Trump has sparked tensions in the Gulf region. Trump recently announced the deployment of a large US Navy fleet to the Middle East. In this connection, the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, consisting of three dangerous warships, is rapidly moving from the Indian Ocean toward the Persian Gulf. Trump has described this as a stern warning to Iran.
Iran's blunt statement: If there is an attack, there will be 'jihad'
Despite US pressure and the deployment of a warship, Iran has flatly refused to budge. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that if the US or Israel dares to attack their Supreme Leader, it would be considered a direct declaration of war against Iran. Meanwhile, the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee has taken an even tougher stance, saying that in the event of an attack on Khamenei, "jihad" would be declared immediately.
He has been out of sight for a week
Ayatollah Khamenei, who is usually very active on social media, has not appeared on any platform since January 17th. He has not posted on X (formerly Twitter). It is unclear since when he has been in the bunker, but his absence has fueled rumors. Earlier in June, during the 12-day war with Israel, Khamenei went underground and, anticipating his death, had prepared a list of successors. In his last message, he blamed foreign forces for the bloody protests in the country, which are being claimed to have killed thousands of people.