Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib, has alleged that foreign adversaries, specifically the US and Israel, are plotting to kill Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the ISNA news agency, Khatib stated that “the enemy seeks to target the supreme leader, sometimes with assassination attempts, sometimes with hostile attacks.” This statement comes after a 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June, which resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists.
The intelligence minister’s comments suggest that the US and Israel are seeking to destabilize the country by targeting its highest authority. Khatib warned that those who aid in these efforts, knowingly or unknowingly, are considered “infiltrating agents of the enemy.” He also claimed that Israel is struggling with an “epidemic of infiltration and espionage” within its own institutions, citing the recent arrest of an Israeli Air Force officer accused of spying for Tehran.
Khatib further alleged that Iran has obtained secret nuclear information and other sensitive security documents, which, combined with the country’s firm posture during the recent conflict, indicates shifting regional power dynamics. The intelligence breach and Iran’s response to the 12-day war have significant implications for the region, with potential consequences for the balance of power.
The allegations of a plot to kill Khamenei come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, with the stated goal of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The US supported these strikes, with President Donald Trump later stating that Khamenei was a “very easy target” but that Washington would not “take him out, at least not for now.”
Khamenei, 86, has been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989 and holds final authority over all state affairs. The reported plot to kill him underscores the ongoing tensions between Iran, the US, and Israel, with significant implications for regional stability and security. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community will be watching closely for any further developments or escalation.
