Tehran, Iran – Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was swiftly moved to a secure underground bunker in Lavizan, northeastern Tehran, shortly after Israel launched airstrikes on the capital early Friday, according to two informed sources within Iran, as reported by Iran International. Accompanying Khamenei were all members of his family, including his son, Mojtaba.

This is not the first instance of the Supreme Leader seeking shelter during heightened tensions with Israel. During Iran’s previous military operations against Israel, dubbed Operation True Promise 1 and Operation True Promise 2, Khamenei’s family was similarly relocated to the same bunker. Notably, during those operations, Mojtaba remained by his father’s side, while his other sons, Masoud and Mostafa, were not present as per Iran International.

Mojtaba is considered by some as the potential candidate for Supreme leader. He had served in Iranian Army during the Iran-Iraq war in 1987-88.

Operation True Promise 1, Iran’s first direct assault on Israel, occurred on April 13, 2024. The attack involved over 300 missiles and drones targeting Israeli military installations, launched in retaliation for the killing of two Iranian generals in Damascus. Operation True Promise 2 followed on October 1, 2024, with approximately 200 missiles aimed at Israeli military facilities. This second operation was a response to the assassination of Iran-aligned militant leaders, including former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.

On Sunday, Israel escalated its military actions by targeting Mashhad, a city located 2,300 kilometers from Israel, marking the first time the city has been struck by Israeli forces. Sources indicate that the airstrike was a deliberate message to Khamenei, signaling that no part of Iran is beyond Israel’s reach. The Israeli government reportedly had the capability to eliminate Khamenei on the first night of its operation but chose instead to spare him, offering a final opportunity for him to order the complete dismantling of Iran’s uranium enrichment program.

Prior to the airstrikes, U.S. President Donald Trump had issued a two-month deadline for Khamenei to agree to dismantle Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. The Supreme Leader disregarded both Trump’s ultimatum and Israel’s warnings. With the onset of Israel’s latest military actions, Khamenei has been presented with another chance to reassess Israel’s military capabilities and comply with demands to halt the enrichment program, according to the sources.

The situation remains fluid, with heightened tensions underscoring the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence.