Iran’s Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib has issued a serious caution, claiming that foreign adversaries, specifically the United States and Israel, are seeking to target Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with “assassination attempts” and “hostile attacks.”
Allegations of Enemy Intent
- Khatib, in a statement reported by ISNA news agency, warned that “the enemy seeks to target the supreme leader, sometimes with assassination attempts, sometimes with hostile attacks” to destabilize the Islamic republic.
- He explicitly referred to the US and Israel, stating, “Those who act in this direction, knowingly or unknowingly, are the infiltrating agents of the enemy.”
- The minister’s warning follows a period of heightened regional tension and direct threats made by Israeli officials against the Supreme Leader.
Escalating Context
The caution comes after a 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June, during which Israel targeted senior Iranian military officials, nuclear scientists, and key facilities.
- Israel’s Direct Threat: In July, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened that Tel Aviv could target Tehran “once again” and would target Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “personally.”
- US Involvement: The US later joined the conflict with strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities.
- Khamenei’s Role: The 86-year-old Khamenei has been Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989 and holds the final say on all state affairs.