
As Israel closes in, Ali Khamenei hides with secret guards no one knew existed — not even his own military
Khamenei secret protection unit is now guarding Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after threats from Israel escalated. Hidden in a new location under top-secret security, even the IRGC was unaware of this elite guard's existence. As Israeli intelligence grows more aggressive, Iran fears deep infiltration. With multiple assassinations of Iranian officers and nuclear scientists, Khamenei's life is under real danger. While President Trump warns he's an 'easy target,' Tehran insists he won't flee. This gripping report uncovers how Mossad, drones, and AI are tracking him—raising urgent questions about survival, strategy, and what happens if Khamenei is taken out.
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Why is Iran's top leader hiding under secret protection?
Where is Khamenei now and how is he staying hidden?
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
How deep is Israel's intelligence penetration in Iran?
Could the U.S. join an attempt to assassinate Khamenei?
How might Israel or the U.S. carry out such a strike?
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
What happens if Khamenei is killed?
FAQs:
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been quietly moved to a hidden and highly secure location, guarded by an elite protection unit that was previously unknown—even to senior figures within the regime. This shift, revealed by The Telegraph, comes amid growing fears in Tehran that Israeli intelligence has deeply infiltrated Iran's power structure, and that a targeted strike on Khamenei is imminent.The 86-year-old leader, who has ruled Iran since 1989, is now said to be under 24/7 protection by a covert security force created to prevent infiltration and assassination. Officials confirm that even senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were unaware of this group's existence until recently.Khamenei's move comes after Israel intensified its campaign of targeted assassinations—killing 11 senior military officers and 14 nuclear scientists in the past week alone. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted that eliminating Khamenei could 'bring an end to the conflict.' Defense Minister Israel Katz has gone further, calling Khamenei a 'modern Hitler' who 'cannot be allowed to continue existing.'These comments, along with the recent Israeli missile strike on a hospital in Beersheba, have led Iranian officials to take unprecedented security steps. One Iranian source told The Telegraph, 'He's not in a bunker, but his life is in danger, and there is a unit responsible for his protection that no one even knew existed.'Khamenei's usual base has been the Leadership House complex in Tehran's District 11. But his recent televised appearances show a very different setting—a brown curtain backdrop with portraits of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini—leading experts to believe he's broadcasting from a new, undisclosed location.Video analysis points to the IRGC media operations center in central Tehran, suggesting that Khamenei could be housed nearby or possibly beneath the same building. Officials strongly believe he is not using vehicles to move around the city due to the risk of car bombings, which have become more frequent in Tehran.Israel's spy agency, Mossad, is renowned for its global reach. From the 1960 abduction of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in Argentina to the 2020 assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh using a remote-controlled killer robot, Mossad has a reputation for conducting precise, high-level missions.Last year, Mossad killed Ismail Haniyeh, the political head of Hamas, using a bomb reportedly hidden in his apartment—possibly even inside a toilet tank. The assassination of Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah using bunker-busting bombs in Beirut further proved Mossad's ability to strike underground targets.But the most alarming detail for Iranian leadership is that many of these attacks appear to have been made possible by leaks from within Tehran itself. Intelligence reportedly came not from Hezbollah or Gaza, but from people close to Khamenei, raising fears of internal betrayal.President Donald Trump, who returned to office in 2025, has reportedly vetoed Israeli plans to kill Khamenei in the past. But even Trump has ramped up his rhetoric recently. On Tuesday, he said, 'We know exactly where the so-called 'supreme leader' is hiding,' while adding the U.S. has 'no plans to target him—at least not for now.'Still, the language is changing. Trump described Khamenei as an 'easy target', indicating that military options are not off the table should intelligence warrant a shift in policy.If an attack on Ayatollah Khamenei were to happen, it would be carefully calculated. Former Israeli national security advisor Yaakov Amidror says Israel would rely on a mix of human agents, signal intelligence, and AI systems to track Khamenei's movements.He said, 'How we would do it depends on the intelligence. If he's in a bunker, you use the air force. If he's in an apartment, you use a drone. If he's in a car then you use an agent in the street.'Despite Khamenei avoiding electronic devices, those around him do not. Every call, email, or encrypted message can be intercepted and analyzed by Israeli AI software, which then pieces together patterns to locate his whereabouts.The consequences of Khamenei's death are hard to predict. He has been the central authority in Iran for over three decades, and his leadership ties together military, religious, and political structures. His sudden death, particularly at the hands of foreign agents, could destabilize Iran, ignite wider regional war, or trigger internal chaos.Still, according to Iranian officials, Khamenei has no plans to flee. 'He won't flee like the coward Assad,' one insider said. 'At a time of this foreign aggression, the nation's morale depends on his survival.'In this increasingly fragile moment, one thing is certain: Khamenei is now the most hunted man in the Middle East—and the battle for his survival has moved into the shadows.A hidden elite force guarding Iran's leader from Israeli threats.Yes, Israel sees him as a high-value target in the conflict.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
15 minutes ago
- News18
Saudi Arabia condemns blatant Israeli aggressions against Iran
Abu Dhabi, Jun 21 (AP) Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has condemned 'blatant Israeli aggressions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security, constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms, and threaten the security and stability of the region," the state-run Saudi Press Agency has reported. Speaking at Friday's meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, he called for 'the immediate cessation of military operations, the avoidance of escalation, and a return to the negotiation track between Iran and the international community." Iran and Saudi Arabia were long regional arch-rivals but have normalized relations in recent years. Riyadh was quick to side publicly with Tehran after Israel launched a surprise barrage of strikes on Iran last week. Bin Farhan also reiterated Saudi Arabia's support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The kingdom and France had been set to co-chair a conference in New York this month on the topic, which was postponed due to the outbreak of the Israel-Iran war. (AP) SCY SCY


Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Neighbourhood policy at work: India to fly home Nepal, Sri Lanka citizens from Iran
In a major diplomatic outreach to its neighbours, India said Saturday it will evacuate nationals of Nepal and Sri Lanka who are stranded in Iran and want to leave the country. Officials in Delhi framed it as an example of India's 'neighbourhood first policy' — of helping its neighbours in times of crisis, be it conflict, natural calamity or pandemic. This announcement came on the day two more flights, operated by the Iranian Mahan Air, landed in Delhi. The Indian embassy in Tehran, in a post on X, said, 'On request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy's evacuation efforts in Iran will also cover citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka.' 'The citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka may urgently reach out to the Embassy, either on the Telegram channel or over the emergency contact numbers: +989010144557;+989128109115; +989128109109,' it stated. Nepal's Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba expressed Kathmandu's gratitude. In a post on X, she thanked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar 'for India's swift assistance in helping to evacuate Nepali nationals from Iran'. 'India's support in Nepal's evacuation efforts is a reflection of the strength of Nepal-India ties,' she said. Sources said about 16 Nepal nationals are in touch with the Nepalese embassy in Delhi. Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a post, said, 'Sri Lanka extends its sincere gratitude to the Government of India for the timely assistance to evacuate Sri Lankan nationals from Iran alongside Indian citizens. This act of solidarity exemplifies the strong and enduring partnership between Sri Lanka and India, and is deeply appreciated by the people of Sri Lanka.' So far, a total of 827 Indians have been evacuated from Iran. 'Another evacuation flight from Mashhad landed in New Delhi at 1630 hrs on 21 June with 310 Indian nationals from Iran. With this, a total of 827 Indians have been evacuated,' Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said. A group of about 290 Indian nationals, including students, reached Delhi late Friday night and early Saturday after being evacuated from Iran as its war with Israel intensified. On Wednesday, India announced the launch of Operation Sindhu to evacuate its nationals from Iran. 'Operation Sindhu flight brings citizens home. India evacuated 290 Indian nationals from Iran, including students and religious pilgrims by a charter flight. The flight arrived in New Delhi at 2330 hrs on 20 June and was received by Secretary (CPV& OIA) Arun Chatterjee,' Jaiswal wrote on X. 'Government of India is grateful to the Government of Iran for the facilitation of the evacuation process,' he said. The first batch of 110 Indian nationals, evacuated under Operation Sindhu, arrived in India Thursday, with many evacuees sharing firsthand accounts of the frightening situation they witnessed before being moved to safer locations. This is not the first time that Delhi has stepped in to evacuate citizens of its neighbours. In the early days of the Ukraine war, India evacuated nationals of neighbouring countries along with its own. Delhi managed to persuade Tehran to open Iranian airspace for the evacuation of around 1,000 Indians via the north-eastern town of Mashhad. Sources said Delhi, after days of negotiations, moved its nationals to Mashhad and secured overflight permissions from Iran and Turkmenistan to fly Indians out of harm's way. Mashhad is close to Iran's border with Turkmenistan, and India found an air corridor for a safe flight out. Indians were moved from Tehran to Qom and then to Mashhad, with the help of the Indian embassy and Iranian authorities. India's ties with Iran and Israel puts it in a delicate spot, where it has to do some diplomatic balancing act. Delhi has strategic stakes with Iran – from Chabahar port to shared concerns on Pakistan and Afghanistan. So, it has been very careful in its statements. It has a very strategic security and defence partnership with Israel as well. Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, has been a journalist for more than 25 years now. Roy joined The Indian Express in October 2003 and has been reporting on foreign affairs for more than 17 years now. Based in Delhi, he has also led the National government and political bureau at The Indian Express in Delhi — a team of reporters who cover the national government and politics for the newspaper. He has got the Ramnath Goenka Journalism award for Excellence in Journalism '2016. He got this award for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka and its aftermath. He also got the IIMCAA Award for the Journalist of the Year, 2022, (Jury's special mention) for his coverage of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 — he was one of the few Indian journalists in Kabul and the only mainstream newspaper to have covered the Taliban's capture of power in mid-August, 2021. ... Read More


Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Trump's ‘Two Weeks' Pause on Iran Strikes Comes With High Stakes
President Donald Trump often suggests that something will happen in 'two weeks' when he's looking to buy himself some time. But his latest two-weeks declaration — on possible US military strikes in Iran — comes with unusually high stakes. The pause, after days of bellicose rhetoric and social posts about evacuating Tehran, rattled markets in the region, triggered new threats from the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, led Iranian officials to call the US Israel's 'partner in crime' and left Israel in a holding pattern. Because by now the world knows that Trump's 'two weeks' could mean two days, two months or never, his delay this time only fed the uncertainty. Regional equities slid on Friday, despite a sustained surge in oil prices that would typically support sentiment in Gulf economies. Israel — a US ally with particularly close ties to Trump — has been placed in a holding pattern. It launched its attacks arguing that Iran's nuclear capabilities must be neutralized. But experts say it will be hard for Israel to destroy Iran's most fortified uranium enrichment facility, the Fordow plant, without the bunker-busting bombs only the US has. The US military launched several long-range stealth B-2 bombers — the kind that could carry the 30,000-pound bombs — from Missouri over the Pacific, according to media reports, possibly positioning them in case of a strike. The Wall Street Journal cited officials saying that no order has been given to ready an operation. 'For the Israelis it does put them in a bind,' said Illan Goldenberg, a former White House and Pentagon official who worked on Iran issues. 'They'd prefer this not go on for weeks and months.' 'My guess is they have some kind of option for Fordow, but it's not as good as our option for Fordow,' said Goldenberg, a senior vice president at J Street, a liberal Israel lobbying group focused on creating a two-state solution. The Israelis 'put themselves in this limbo by launching a war and putting their faith in Donald Trump to come and finish the job.' Israeli officials told the White House in what was described as a tense phone call on Thursday that two weeks is too long to wait for Iran to reach a deal to dismantle its nuclear program, Reuters reported Saturday. Iran, meanwhile, could seek to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly 20% of global crude flows. Even without a direct move by Tehran, nearly 1,000 vessels daily have reported GPS jamming near the narrow passage separating Iran from its Arab neighbors, according to the French naval liaison body MICA Center. The Houthis, an Iran-backed militia in Yemen, threatened on Saturday to target US vessels and battleships if the US joins Israeli attacks. The conflict started June 13 when Israel, saying it had evidence that Iran was close to achieving nuclear weapons capability, launched a series of missile attacks on Iran, which has returned missile attacks. Keeping the world guessing Trump for years has had a penchant for setting two-week deadlines, sometimes following through and at other times missing them or never acting at all, making 'within two weeks' a stock phrase for pending decisions in both his White House terms. On Friday, Trump kept the world guessing on his next steps. Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, he called himself a 'peacemaker' and dismissed the idea of sending in ground troops. He both suggested he wanted a diplomatic path and said he might support a ceasefire, but also kept a military threat alive, describing the two-week time frame as a maximum. 'I'm giving them a period of time,' he declared. Israel has pressed Trump to offer support, but in return Trump has only offered a run of tough commentary. European diplomats have stepped in to try to de-escalate tensions by talking to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi with little to show for it but a dismissive remark from Trump. Trump won the presidency twice promising not to get the US involved in the kinds of intractable Middle East wars he savaged his predecessors over. His most fervent MAGA supporters have been urging him publicly and privately to avoid military action in keeping with his 'America First' position. Since Israel's assault on Iran started, Israelis have faced hundreds of ballistic missiles and 1,000 drone attacks launched by Tehran. Iran has lost a slew of military officials, with more than 400 people dead and several nuclear facilities and related infrastructure destroyed or damaged. Israel, which has been waging a military campaign in Gaza since Hamas militants attacked the country on Oct. 7, 2023, may struggle to sustain a war against Tehran. The US is already working to replenish Israel's defenses as they deplete their stock of interceptors. And Israeli officials say Trump's pause means the war will last even longer. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted the Jewish state will 'achieve all of our objectives,' including rendering Fordow inoperable. Trump cited hopes for negotiations as part of his aim for the 'two-week' pause. But Iranians refuse to negotiate with the US while an Israeli assault continues, and the talks with European leaders appeared to make little progress. Trump expressed skepticism about those efforts Friday, saying: 'Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help them.' Yet Iran refuses to talk to the US while the Israeli assault continues. Peter Krause, a Boston College professor who specializes in Middle Eastern politics, argued that if Trump is doing 'coercive diplomacy' with Iran, then his 'hand is strengthened' the more damage Israelis do to Iran. Krause said the next two weeks will likely see a 'ramping up with more of the same militarily, but simultaneously, attempted diplomacy led by the Europeans and maybe the United States and the Turks to see if we can get an off-ramp before things get worse.' Trump has also long hurled ultimatums at opponents that he often quickly reverses as he pushes them to make concessions — as the world saw with his tariffs regime in the spring — demanding exorbitant tariffs only to back off once the trading partner arrived at the negotiating table. But taking that approach here may not work. The latest signals from the White House suggest a demand for zero uranium enrichment in Iran, a condition Tehran sees as fundamentally unacceptable. Iranian officials maintain they have no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons, but argue that some level of enrichment, under clear restrictions and oversight, is a sovereign right. Stripping that away, they contend, would amount to capitulation rather than compromise. With assistance from Ethan Bronner. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.