Iran’s intelligence ministry has issued a sharp warning about what it says are ongoing efforts by foreign adversaries — including the United States and Israel — to target supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and undermine the stability of the Islamic republic.
According to a report published on Saturday by the ISNA news agency, intelligence minister Esmail Khatib claimed that hostile states were pursuing various methods to harm the 86-year-old leader. “The enemy seeks to target the supreme leader, sometimes with assassination attempts, sometimes with hostile attacks,” he said. While Khatib did not specify whether any recent attempts had taken place, comments of this nature have been uncommon in Iran’s official messaging, especially before the 12-day Iran–Israel war that erupted in June.
Khatib directly named the United States and Israel, warning that individuals who contribute — knowingly or unintentionally — to such efforts are acting as “infiltrating agents of the enemy.” His remarks reflect long-standing Iranian accusations that foreign powers are working to weaken the state from within.
During the conflict earlier this year, Israel conducted strikes on senior Iranian military officials, nuclear scientists, strategic installations, and even residential areas. The United States later joined with its own attacks, striking several nuclear facilities in coordination with Israel.
Amid the conflict, reports emerged claiming that then–US President Donald Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei, reportedly out of concern that it would trigger a dramatic escalation. Asked about the claim, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not directly address it but remarked that such an act would “end the conflict.”
Trump had publicly referred to the Iranian supreme leader as a “very easy target,” though he insisted at the time that the United States had no intention of killing him “for now.” He later said on Truth Social that he had personally prevented Khamenei from dying “a VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH.”
Khamenei, who has held the position of supreme leader since 1989, remains the most powerful figure in Iran, with ultimate authority over all branches of government and state policy.
Earlier this month, President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that he had been deeply worried for Khamenei’s safety during the June conflict, expressing concern that internal factions might clash if anything happened to him.
Khamenei himself has said that Israel’s wartime attacks were aimed at destabilising Iran, inciting unrest, and drawing crowds into the streets to topple the political system.
Although a ceasefire between Iran and Israel has held since June 24, the situation remains tense. Both the United States and Israel have warned that renewed military action remains on the table if Tehran resumes its nuclear programme.
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