Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has reportedly gone into hiding fearing a potential Israeli airstrike. The development comes hours after the Israeli military confirmed that it had eliminated Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike near Beirut. It is pertinent to note that Iran is said to be the main supporter and backer of Shiite terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah that launch terror attacks against Israel. Now, in the wake of Israeli offensive against Iran’s proxies, rumours are rife that Ayatollah Khamenei, the main backer of these Shiite terror groups, could be next on the hit list of the Israeli military. The imminent fear for Khameini’s life gained strength from the fact that Israel had earlier eliminated Iran Revolutionary Guard Chief Qasem Soleimani.
Taking to X, the Israel Defence Forces wrote, “Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world.” On its part, a Hezbollah spokesperson had initially claimed that Nasrallah was “unharmed” in the Friday afternoon airstrike. However, the terror group has also confirmed Nasrallah’s death in the Israeli airstrike.
Meanwhile, the IDF released an official statement stating that IDF fighter jets struck Nasrallah hideout at Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut after getting his precise intelligence.
“The strike was conducted while Hezbollah’s senior chain of command was operating from the headquarters and advancing terrorist activities against the citizens of the State of Israel,” the IDF said confirming Nasrallah’s death.
Israeli warplanes struck Hezbollah headquarters shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday. Holding two maps, he blamed Iran for the violence that continues to unfold in the region, branding the country as a curse.
In response to the airstrikes, Ayatollah Khamenei condemned Israel’s actions, declaring that “all the resistance forces in the region stand with and support Hezbollah.” Khamenei also called upon Muslims to “stand by the people of Lebanon and back the Hezbollah with whatever means they have and assist them in confronting the wicked regime (of Israel). The fate of this region (Middle east) will be determined by the forces of resistance, with Hezbollah at the forefront.”
The backdrop of Ayatollah Khamenei’s statements includes a series of Israeli air raids targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon. Now with Nasrallah neutralized the dangers surrounding Khamenei rise even further. Pre-empting an attack Iranian authorities have now moved the Supreme leader to a secure location.
