Who is Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei and why is he a possible target? | Israel-Iran conflict News

The United States and Israel have wagered a new round of attacks on Iranonce more derailing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and elevating questions on efforts to focus on the nation’s safety and management equipment.

Among the areas focused on Saturday in Iran’s capital Tehran had been locations linked to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

Here’s extra on Khamenei and why the US and Israel are doubtlessly looking for to “decapitate” the Islamic republic’s management:

Where did Saturday’s assaults happen?

Iranian media report the US-Israeli assaults occurred nationwidetogether with a number of areas within the capital, Tehran.

Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim information company reported that seven missiles hit an space close to the presidential palace, positioned in Shemiran to the north of Tehran, in addition to close to Khamenei’s compound.

The Associated Press reported that assaults additionally struck close to Khamenei’s places of work within the capital.

Where is Khamenei?

It is unclear. The Reuters information company cited a supply as saying Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a safe location.

Who is Khamenei?

The 86-year-old Islamic scholar has been Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, succeeding the Islamic Republic’s late founder, the charismatic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who returned from exile and drove Iran’s 1979 revolution that overthrew US ally and shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. He holds final authority over all branches of presidency, the army and the judiciary, whereas additionally appearing because the nation’s non secular chief.

During his rule, Khamenei has maintained an adversarial relationship with the West, together with intense sanctions, and a number of rounds of protests at house over the economic system and rights points. He has referred to as the US Iran’s “number one enemy”, with Israel trailing shut behind.

Critical to Khamenei’s energy is the loyalty of two of Iran’s premier safety establishments – the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij paramilitary forces, which have tons of of hundreds of volunteers.

Khamenei has lengthy mentioned Iran would by no means construct a nuclear weapon and that its nuclear program is for civilian functions solely. Neither US intelligence nor the UN nuclear watchdog have discovered any proof that Iran was pursuing an atomic weapon, a narrative Israel and some within the Trump administration have however pushed.

What have the US and Israel mentioned about Khamenei?

Officials from each international locations have beforehand issued threats towards Khamenei.

In June, after the 12-day war of US-Israeli assaults on Iran, and Tehran’s retaliation towards Israel, Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz mentioned Khamenei “cannot continue to exist.”

“A dictator like Khamenei who stands at the head of a state like Iran and has the horrible goal of destroying Israel – cannot continue to exist,” he mentioned.

The identical month, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Israel had not dominated out trying to assassinate Khamenei, an act he mentioned would “end” the long-running conflict between the US and Iran.

In the US, President Donald Trump has additionally made remarks showing to threaten Khamenei. In an interview with ABC News earlier this month, Trump mentioned the Iranian chief ought to be “very worried,” because the US amassed army belongings within the area. In separate remarks, he mentioned regime change in Iran could be “the best thing that could happen” and that “there are people” who may assume management, with out elaboration.

As he ordered assaults on Iran final 12 months, Trump then claimed Khamenei could be an “easy target” if the US determined to go after him.

“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” Trump mentioned. “He is an easy target, but it is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.”

What was the aim of the most recent assault?

In remarks following the assaults, Trump pledged to “annihilate” Iran’s navy and missile websites, and urged Iranians to overthrow their authorities.

“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take,” Trump mentioned. “This will probably be your only chance for generations.

Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem, who has covered Iran extensively, said it is clear that the US-Israeli attacks are “mainly aimed at decapitating [the political elite]”.

“How successful or unsuccessful this was, that is too early to tell.”