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Iran: Intelligence Minister warns of alleged plot targeting supreme leader Khamenei
Iran’s intelligence chief has issued a stark warning about what he describes as potential attempts by foreign adversaries—including Israel and the United States—to target the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The comments, reported by local media, highlight rising security concerns following months of heightened regional tensions.
Ayatollah Khamenei, 86, has led Iran since 1989 and remains the ultimate authority on the nation’s strategic and political decisions. According to Intelligence Minister Esmaïl Khatib, the supreme leader represents “the pillar of the Revolution,” making him, in his view, the primary target for Iran’s enemies seeking to undermine internal stability.
Khatib did not specify whether these warnings were linked to a concrete plot or recent intelligence findings. Iranian officials, however, frequently accuse foreign governments—particularly the United States and Israel—of orchestrating covert operations aimed at weakening the Islamic Republic.
Concerns surrounding the leader’s safety have intensified since the June conflict between Iran and Israel. On June 13, Israel launched an unprecedented strike on strategic sites in Iran, killing several high-ranking officers, nuclear experts, and civilians. The attack triggered a 12-day war, during which the United States also targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities.
In a statement released on November 11, Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian admitted that he feared an assassination attempt against Khamenei during the hostilities, worrying that the leader’s death could provoke severe internal divisions. Israeli and American officials had also issued harsh statements during the conflict, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggesting that eliminating Khamenei could “end the conflict,” and former U.S. President Donald Trump calling the supreme leader “an easy target,” while asserting Washington had no immediate plans to act.
During the 12-day war, Khamenei did not appear publicly, communicating only through recorded messages. Since the ceasefire took effect on June 24, he has significantly reduced his public engagements, reinforcing speculation about ongoing security threats.