Explosions occurred near the residence and office of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran amidst rising tensions with the United States, with uncertainty surrounding his presence during the blasts.
Explosions were reported near Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's home and office in Tehran, with the situation marked by increased tensions between Iran and the United States. At the time of the explosions, it was unclear whether Khamenei, aged 86, was present at his office as he had not been seen in public for several days. The Iranian authorities had closed streets leading to his complex due to ongoing explosions throughout the capital, indicating a serious escalation in security concerns.
Witnesses in Tehran described hearing the first explosion near Khamenei's office, which state television later reported without specifying the cause. An anonymous source informed about an ongoing operation claimed that Israeli targets included Iranian military, government symbols, and intelligence facilities, suggesting that these explosions could be part of a broader campaign against Iran's military capabilities. This development comes at a time when Iran is dealing with domestic unrest amid protests and external pressures.
Donald Trump had previously sought a deal to limit Iran's nuclear program, seeing potential leverage due to the discontent within the country. Iran, while feeling the weight of these pressures, maintains that it has the right to enrich uranium and is unwilling to negotiate other issues such as its long-range missile program or support for armed groups. The implications of these explosions could further heighten tensions in an already precarious geopolitical landscape.
