Iran Supreme Leader in Peril After Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Sites Rocked by Missile Attacks

Missile strikes near the heart of Iran's ruling establishment have placed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the centre of the most direct threat to his leadership in decades. Fresh attacks by the US and Israel have hit multiple targets across Iran, including sites linked to the country's highest authority, reigniting fears that the conflict is now directed at the leadership itself.

Explosions were reported in Tehran and other cities, with Iranian media saying missiles landed near the presidential palace in Shemiran and close to the compound and offices associated with the Iran supreme leader. The strikes have further derailed already fragile negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme.

Strikes Near the Centre of Power

Iranian outlets reported that at least seven missiles struck areas near the presidential complex and buildings connected to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with blasts heard near his offices in the capital. Sources cited in regional reports claimed Khamenei was not in Tehran at the time and had been moved to a secure location, though officials have not confirmed his whereabouts, fuelling speculation online and in regional media.

The targeting of such symbolic and strategic locations has intensified debate over whether the campaign is shifting from military containment to leadership destabilisation.

Who Is the Man at the Centre of the Storm

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, has served as Iran supreme leader since 1989, succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the revolutionary cleric who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution and reshaped the country's political order. The supreme leader holds ultimate authority over the executive, judiciary and armed forces, with key state decisions requiring his approval.

His power rests heavily on the loyalty of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij paramilitary force, institutions central to maintaining internal security and projecting influence abroad. Throughout his tenure, he has faced waves of domestic protests and severe international sanctions, consistently describing the US as Iran's 'number one enemy', with Israel close behind.

Why He May Be a Target

Khamenei has long been viewed by Israeli and some US officials as the ultimate decision-maker behind Iran's regional policies and nuclear ambitions. Although Iran insists its nuclear programme is purely civilian, Israel and some in Washington argue that Tehran seeks strategic leverage. However, this is a position neither US intelligence nor the UN nuclear watchdog has publicly confirmed.

In June, after a previous round of hostilities, Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that Khamenei 'cannot continue to exist', describing him as a dictator intent on destroying Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested assassination had not been ruled out, claiming such an act could 'end' the conflict. President Donald Trump said the supreme leader should be 'very worried' and once described him as an 'easy target', adding: 'We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.'

Such statements have amplified speculation over whether the recent strikes were designed to send a warning — or something more direct.

Rumours and Reality

Online searches spiked with phrases such as 'Ali Khamenei killed' in the hours following the attack, but there has been no official confirmation of injury or death. Iranian authorities have remained tight-lipped, while state media insist the country's leadership structure remains intact.

Still, the symbolism is stark. Striking sites tied to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei signals that no echelon of power is beyond reach.

Nuclear Talks Derailed

The timing of the strikes has further complicated diplomacy. Trump, in remarks after the attack, pledged to 'annihilate' Iran's navy and missile sites and urged Iranians to 'take over your government', saying: 'When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take.'

Such rhetoric suggests a broader objective than deterrence, raising the question of whether regime change, rather than negotiation, is becoming the unspoken aim.

A Precarious Moment for Iran

For Iran, the apparent vulnerability of its supreme leader marks a profound shift. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has survived wars, sanctions and internal unrest, yet the symbolism of missiles landing near his compound underscores how precarious this moment has become.

Whether this latest round of strikes was intended as strategic signalling or something more decisive, the centre of power in Iran is under pressure. And the future of Iran supreme leader has rarely appeared so uncertain.