SRINAGAR: Iran’s intelligence ministry has warned of alleged attempts by foreign adversaries, including the United States and Israel, to target supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and destabilise the Islamic Republic.
The state-run ISNA news agency reported that intelligence minister Esmail Khatib said “the enemy seeks to target the supreme leader, sometimes with assassination attempts, sometimes with hostile attacks.” He did not specify whether the warning related to a particular incident, though Iranian officials frequently accuse foreign intelligence services of plotting against the state.
Statements regarding threats to Khamenei’s life have been rare, particularly before the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June. Khatib said individuals “acting in this direction, knowingly or unknowingly, are the infiltrating agents of the enemy,” explicitly naming the US and Israel.
During the June conflict, Israel carried out strikes on senior Iranian military officials, nuclear scientists, strategic facilities and residential areas, with the US later joining attacks on key nuclear sites.
Khatib’s remarks follow reports that former US President Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei amid fears it would escalate the confrontation. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the claim at the time, he said such an action would “end the conflict.” Trump later said Khamenei was an “easy target,” adding on social media that he had spared him from “a very ugly and ignominious death.”
Khamenei, 86, has served as Iran’s supreme leader since 1989 and holds ultimate authority over all state matters. Earlier this month, President Masoud Pezeshkian said he had feared for Khamenei’s safety during the June hostilities, warning that the leader’s death could spark internal discord.
Khamenei has previously accused Israel of seeking to weaken the Islamic Republic, instigate unrest and encourage public mobilisation to topple the system. A ceasefire between Iran and Israel has been in effect since June 24, though both Israel and the US have warned of renewed strikes should Iran advance its nuclear programme.
