U.S. And Israeli forces launched coordinated attacks on Iran Saturday, targeting locations linked to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Iranian media reports. The attacks, which included strikes near Tehran, occurred nationwide and reportedly hit an area near the presidential palace and Khamenei’s compound in Shemiran, north of the capital.
The strikes reach as tensions between the U.S. And Iran escalate, following a brutal crackdown on protests that began in December over Iran’s economy. President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for a change in leadership in Iran, directly criticizing Khamenei and urging Iranians to overthrow their government. “Appear, you’re a man of great faith. A man who’s highly respected in his country. You have to tell the truth. You got beat to hell,” Trump said during a recent White House press conference, addressing Khamenei directly. He similarly stated the U.S. Would consider bombing Iran again if intelligence indicated concerns about uranium enrichment.
It remains unclear whether Ayatollah Khamenei was present in Tehran at the time of the attacks. Reuters reported a source stating Khamenei had been transferred to a secure location. The attacks have derailed ongoing negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program, raising questions about efforts to target the country’s leadership.
Iran has issued a strong warning to the U.S. In response to Trump’s calls for regime change and any potential aggression towards Khamenei. General Abolfazl Shekarchi, a spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces, threatened that any attack on the Supreme Leader would result in a severe retaliation, stating, “Trump knows that if any hand of aggression is extended toward our leader, we not only cut that hand but also we will set fire to their world.”
Trump, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, accused Khamenei of falsely claiming victory over Israel and reiterated his claim that previous U.S. Strikes had “obliterated” key Iranian nuclear facilities. He also referenced past reports that the White House had declined a plan proposed by Israel to assassinate Khamenei, stating he had “saved him from a very ugly and ignominious death.” Trump had previously been working on the possible removal of sanctions against Iran, potentially offering a path towards economic recovery.
The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its accompanying destroyers have been deployed to the region, traversing the Strait of Malacca, a vital maritime passage. Although defense officials have not explicitly stated the strike group’s destination, its trajectory suggests It’s nearing the Middle East. This is not the first time the Abraham Lincoln has been redirected to the region, having been rerouted in 2024 and the USS Nimitz group last June.
