More details are emerging regarding the Israeli airstrikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. While the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims that the Supreme Leader was killed at his workplace in the “Leadership Residence”, Israeli sources claim they easily tracked the 86-year-old leader’s hiding spot.
Khamenei was underground at the location, but not in one of the two deepest bunkers that only US bombs could have penetrated, according to Israeli media Channel 12.
The Supreme Leader was reportedly carrying out his assigned duties and had even met with his aide, Ali Shamkhani, and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani at a secure location shortly before the strikes began. Shamkhani was also killed in an Israeli air strike.
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US media reported that the US and Israel identified three meetings of senior political and military officials in Iran that were taking place simultaneously this morning, and decided to attack in broad daylight. As many as 30 bombs were dropped on Khamenei's residence in the opening minutes of the assault, and about 40 senior Iranian officials have been killed so far.
The strike destroyed the entire compound. Khamenei’s daughter, grandchild, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law were also killed.
It was the Israeli strikes that killed the leader, but the US had a major role in coordinating with the former. According to US President Donald Trump, Khamenei was unable to avoid US intelligence and highly sophisticated tracking systems. “There was not a thing he, or the other leaders [who] have been killed along with him, could do,” Trump bragged.
After the attacks in Tehran, satellite images were released of Khamenei's residence in Tehran, showing extensive destruction of the buildings and billowing smoke.
Though the US has claimed that it won’t stop until the regime is toppled, Iran claims that Khamenei had reportedly put in place detailed plans for his succession and emergency chains of command should he, or other top leaders, be killed in potential US or Israeli strikes. Speculation is that longtime loyalist Larijani will take over the rule.
Iranian state media reported that a council consisting of Iranian President Masoud Pazakhian, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohsen-Azaei, and a representative from the Guardian Council would temporarily assume leadership roles in the Islamic Republic.