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Tehran, June 20, 2025 – In a significant development, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly transferred key wartime powers to the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), amid escalating tensions with Israel and heightened pressure from the United States. According to reports from Iran International, Hindustan Times, and MSN.com, this move comes as Khamenei has been absent from public view for five days, raising speculation about his safety and the future of Iran’s leadership.
Sources indicate that Khamenei, along with close family members, including his son Mojtaba, has been relocated to a secure underground bunker in Lavizan, northeast of Tehran. The transfer of authority to the IRGC’s Supreme Council is being viewed as a precautionary measure to ensure continuity of command in the event of Khamenei’s death, especially as Iran operates under de facto emergency conditions, though no formal declaration of war has been made.
The decision follows a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and senior IRGC commanders, which have significantly weakened the country’s military leadership. The loss of key figures, including IRGC air force commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh and other top generals, has created a strategic vacuum, prompting Khamenei to delegate critical military, intelligence, and national security responsibilities to the IRGC.
Adding to the tension, U.S. President Donald Trump recently claimed on social media that the U.S. knows exactly where Khamenei is hiding, describing him as an “easy target” but stating there are no plans to kill him “for now.” Trump also warned that U.S. patience is “wearing thin” and urged Iran to avoid attacks on civilians or American soldiers. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has issued a stark warning, stating that Khamenei “cannot continue to exist” due to Iran’s retaliatory strikes, including an attack on an Israeli hospital.
While Iran’s judiciary officials have acknowledged the country’s emergency-like situation, the power transfer is seen as a strategic move to maintain regime stability amid internal dissent and external military threats. The IRGC, a dominant force in Iran’s military and economic spheres, now holds unprecedented authority, raising questions about the future of Khamenei’s leadership and the potential rise of his son Mojtaba as a key power broker.
As Iran faces a historic crisis, the international community watches closely to see whether Khamenei’s regime can withstand the mounting pressures or if this marks the beginning of a significant shift in Iran’s power structure.
AI/MR
