Who is Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei and why is he a possible target?
The United States and Israel have waged a new round of attacks on Iran, again derailing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme and raising questions about efforts to target the country’s security and leadership apparatus.
Among the areas targeted on Saturday in Iran’s capital Tehran were places linked to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
Here’s more on Khamenei and why the US and Israel are potentially seeking to “decapitate” the Islamic republic’s leadership:
Where did Saturday’s attacks take place?
Iranian media report the US-Israeli attacks occurred nationwide, including several areas in the capital, Tehran.
Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported that seven missiles hit an area near the presidential palace, located in Shemiran to the north of Tehran, as well as near Khamenei’s compound.
The Associated Press reported that attacks also struck near Khamenei’s offices in the capital.
Here’s more on Khamenei and why the US and Israel are potentially seeking to “decapitate” the Islamic republic’s leadership:
Where did Saturday’s attacks take place?
Iranian media report the US-Israeli attacks occurred nationwide, including several areas in the capital, Tehran.
Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported that seven missiles hit an area near the presidential palace, located in Shemiran to the north of Tehran, as well as near Khamenei’s compound.
The Associated Press reported that attacks also struck near Khamenei’s offices in the capital.
Where is Khamenei?
It is unclear. The Reuters news agency cited a source as saying Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a secure location.
Who is Khamenei?
The 86-year-old Islamic scholar has been Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, succeeding the Islamic Republic’s late founder, the charismatic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who returned from exile and drove Iran’s 1979 revolution that overthrew US ally and shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. He holds ultimate authority over all branches of government, the military and the judiciary, while also acting as the country’s spiritual leader.
