Iranian Intelligence Chief Mohammad Kazemi and his deputy were killed in an Israeli attack. Supreme Leader Khamenei was moved to a bunker. Iran's intelligence infrastructure was severely impacted.
Israel-Iran: Tensions between Iran and Israel continue to escalate. Recent Israeli airstrikes have inflicted significant damage on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to official confirmations, Brigadier General Mohammad Kazemi, Iran's intelligence chief, and his deputy, Hassan Mohaqiq, were killed in these attacks.
A Devastating Blow to Iranian Intelligence
Tasnim News, an Iranian state agency affiliated with the IRGC, reported that another senior intelligence officer, Mohsin Bagheeri, was also killed in the Tehran attacks. These strikes have dealt a severe blow to Iran's military and intelligence structure. The deaths of top officers, particularly within a powerful military unit like the IRGC, have had a serious impact on the country's security apparatus.
Khamenei Moved to Underground Bunker
Following the Israeli strikes, the most significant development was the relocation of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to an underground bunker in Lavijan, northeast of Tehran. According to the Times of Israel, Khamenei is there with his entire family. This is the same bunker where Khamenei sought refuge during Israeli attacks in April and October 2024.
Why Wasn't Khamenei Targeted on the First Night?
Reports suggest that the Israeli military did not target Khamenei on the first night of the operation. The aim, reportedly, was to give Iran a final opportunity to abandon its uranium enrichment program. This strategy indicates that Israel may still be offering a last chance to prevent Iran from openly becoming a nuclear power.
Weapons Manufacturing Facilities Targeted
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that it conducted large-scale airstrikes in Iran. The primary objective was to eliminate Iranian weapons manufacturing capabilities. The operation targeted key infrastructure of the IRGC, its Quds Force, and the Iranian army. According to the IDF, several factories involved in weapons manufacturing were targeted and rendered completely inoperable.
Waiting for Iran's Response
While Iran has not yet launched a direct retaliatory attack, there are concerns that the Iranian leadership may respond forcefully in the coming days. The relocation of a prominent figure like Khamenei to a bunker suggests that Iran anticipates further attacks and is operating under heightened security.
