Recent geopolitical developments have intensified regional tension, particularly involving Iran, Israel and the United States. While there are no verified reports that Khamenei has twice gone underground in the last seven months specifically because of new U.S. death threats, multiple credible sources confirm that he took shelter during heightened hostilities in mid-2025.

According to reports from Reuters and other outlets, in June 2025, during a period of active conflict between Iran and Israel, Iranian forces came under aerial attack, including strikes on military and nuclear facilities. The confrontation drew in U.S. support for Israel and led Iranian officials to take protective measures for senior leadership. As part of these precautions, Khamenei was reported to have moved to a fortified underground bunker near Tehran and limited public communications to trusted aides amid threats from adversaries and fears of targeted strikes. Iranian officials reportedly also named potential successors in case of his death.

While some foreign commentary and leaked sources suggested that Israeli and U.S. leaders have discussed the possibility of targeting Iranian leadership in exceptional circumstances, there is no official confirmation that a specific U.S. assassination order has been issued or that Khamenei remains constantly in hiding now. What has been reported is that Iranian authorities took extraordinary security precautions during the June 2025 conflict period.

Broader Context: Iran, U.S. and Regional Conflict

The backdrop to these developments includes:

• In June 2025, Israel launched a surprise military campaign against Iranian military and nuclear sites, marking a serious escalation in hostility between Tehran and Tel Aviv. Iran responded with missile strikes against Israeli territory before a ceasefire was reached.

• Trump and other U.S. figures have made stern public statements toward Iran and its leadership during these disputes. Some statements have stirred fears in Tehran about the possibility of U.S. military involvement or support for regime change, but none amount to confirmed direct threats to kill Khamenei.

• Iran has repeatedly warned that any foreign attack on its supreme leader or soil would be treated as an act of war. This stance was articulated by Iranian political leaders in early 2026, reflecting Tehran’s firm position on sovereignty and defence.

• Iran continues to face serious internal unrest, stemming from economic hardship and political protests that began in late 2025 and spread nationwide. The government has blamed foreign interference — particularly from the United States — for inciting dissent, though these claims are strongly contested by independent observers.

What the Evidence Does Not Show

• There is no authoritative report confirming that Khamenei has gone underground twice in the last 7 months specifically due to fresh U.S. death threats.

• Claims about U.S. abductions of foreign leaders (like Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro) are not corroborated by mainstream news agencies; such narratives often circulate in misinformation contexts.

Situation Summary

• Khamenei took protective measures and operated from secure locations during intense regional conflict in mid-2025, including in bunkers, due to real military threats.

• There are continuing fears in Iranian political circles about foreign military pressure, especially given the history of U.S. involvement in the region and past tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.

• Iranian leaders have publicly stated that any direct attack on their leadership would be considered a declaration of war.

• Broader protests and unrest in Iran have further heightened internal and external tensions.