Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei: The Ultimate Target in US-Israeli Strikes

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 86-year-old Supreme Leader of Iran, is the most powerful figure in the Islamic Republic, a position he has held since 1989. As the commander-in-chief, he has ultimate authority over the military, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the judiciary, and state media, effectively controlling all branches of government. A survivor of a 1981 assassination attempt that paralysed his right arm, Khamenei has maintained his grip on power for decades by suppressing dissent and overseeing crackdowns on protests from 2009 to the 2022 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement. He is now facing the most direct external challenge to his rule.

Khamenei has become a potential target due to the significant escalation in the conflict with the US and Israel. On 28 February 2026, the US and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iran, with some of the initial explosions reported in Tehran's eastern area near Khamenei's office. Israeli officials have explicitly stated they 'will not rule out targeting Iran's Supreme Leader,' viewing the entire Iranian leadership as legitimate military targets. This represents a notable shift, as removing Khamenei would effectively decapitate the Iranian regime.

The threat is so credible that Khamenei has reportedly been moved to a secure location outside Tehran. Moreover, reports suggest he has issued secret orders to prepare for a possible succession, establishing a 'core decision-making circle' to safeguard the regime if he is killed. The high stakes are emphasised by Hezbollah, which has warned it would join the war if attacks aim to kill Khamenei or topple Iran's leadership. His potential targeting marks a dangerous new phase in the conflict, targeting the very core of Iran's theocratic system.