Iran’s Supreme Leader has reportedly been moved to a fortified underground bunker amid growing fears of a potential US military strike, as tensions between Tehran and Washington continue to rise.
The move comes as senior Iranian military officials warn of an increased likelihood of US action. At the same time, protests persist across the country, with security forces responding through a deadly crackdown. The underground facility is said to be designed to safeguard the leader during wartime situations. Reports also indicate that his third son, Masoud Khamenei, has assumed responsibility for managing his father’s daily affairs while the Ayatollah remains out of public view.
The heightened alert follows remarks made last week by US President Donald Trump, who confirmed that American warships were being deployed toward Iran “just in case” military intervention becomes necessary.
“We have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it,” Trump said.
A US Navy official later confirmed that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, along with accompanying warships, is currently operating in the Indian Ocean and moving closer to the Middle East.
Relations between Iran and the United States have remained strained since protests erupted on December 28, sparked by the sharp decline of Iran’s currency, the rial. The demonstrations have reportedly been met with violent repression by Iranian authorities.
President Trump has repeatedly warned Tehran, outlining what he described as two red lines for possible military intervention: the killing of peaceful protesters and the mass execution of detainees arrested during the unrest.
Although Iran is said to have halted the execution of around 800 individuals detained during the protests, US officials claim Trump remains deeply dissatisfied with how Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has handled the crisis.
On Sunday, January 25, an Iranian official cautioned that any US attack would result in a full-scale conflict, as Washington continues to increase its military presence in the region.
“This time, we will treat any attack — limited or otherwise — as an all-out war and respond in the strongest possible way,” the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
Iranian state television has also issued strong warnings, including a broadcast referencing a failed assassination attempt on Trump in 2024, stating that “this time, the bullet won’t miss.”
With diplomatic efforts stalled, both nations continue to signal readiness for escalation, raising international concerns over the possibility of a broader regional conflict.