Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has reportedly retreated underground amid escalating tensions with the United States. As the USS Abraham Lincoln approaches the Persian Gulf, senior military officials have cautioned about the heightened risk of US airstrikes. Khamenei, aged 86, has moved to a fortified shelter in Tehran, which is connected to an extensive network of underground tunnels.
In Khamenei’s absence, his youngest son, Masoud Khamenei, has taken charge of day-to-day operations within the Islamic Republic. His responsibilities include serving as the primary communication channel with the regime’s executive branch, as reported by the Jerusalem Post. This significant shift in leadership comes as Iranian officials express increasing concern over US military actions.
The potential for US airstrikes has intensified following a statement from former President Donald Trump, who announced on March 15, 2023, that warships were being deployed to the Middle East as a warning to Khamenei. Trump characterized the naval presence as a “massive armada.” The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which includes three destroyers, is currently en route from the Indian Ocean to the Persian Gulf region.
Despite the mounting pressure, public statements from Tehran indicate a firm stance against the United States. Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian President, warned that any attack on the supreme leader would be considered “an all-out war against us.” Additionally, Iran’s national security parliamentary commission has stated that an assault on Khamenei would prompt a declaration of jihad, according to the Iranian Students News Agency.
Khamenei, known for his active presence on social media, has not posted on X since January 17, 2023. It remains unclear when he entered hiding. This is not the first instance of Khamenei retreating to a bunker; he previously went underground during the 12-Day War with Israel in June 2022. Reports suggest that he had even prepared a list of potential successors in case of his death during that conflict.
His last public communication referred to the need to address both internal and international “criminals” accountable for the widespread protests that have rocked the nation since December 28, 2022. These protests, driven by discontent over a struggling economy and the worst drought in decades, have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 3,000 civilians, with some estimates suggesting the toll could be as high as 20,000.
The situation remains dynamic as both military movements and political rhetoric continue to escalate, prompting concerns about further conflict in the region. As the international community closely monitors the developments, Khamenei’s next steps will be crucial in shaping Iran’s response to external pressures.
