Iran's Supreme Leader Not in Tehran as U.S. and Israel Launch Coordinated Strikes

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is not in Tehran and has been moved to a secure, undisclosed location amid ongoing Israeli strikes against the Islamic Republic, Israeli media reported Saturday.

According to an Israeli defense official quoted by Reuters, the attacks had been planned for months, with the launch date decided weeks ago — even as the United States and Iran continued diplomatic negotiations. Al Jazeera

On February 28, 2026, Israel and the United States launched a coordinated attack, codenamed Operation Shield of Judah, targeting multiple cities across Iran. Wikipedia The U.S. Department of Defense separately identified its component of the operation as "Operation Epic Fury."

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the offensive, describing it as a "preemptive attack" intended to "remove threats to the State of Israel." He subsequently signed an order imposing a special state of emergency across all Israeli territory, warning that retaliatory missile and drone strikes against Israel were expected in the short term. Explosions were reported in Tehran shortly thereafter.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced in a video posted on social media that the United States had begun "major combat operations in Iran," citing Iran's continued nuclear development and ballistic missile program. Trump appealed directly to the Iranian people, urging them to "take over your government." He also acknowledged that American casualties were possible, stating that "that often happens in war." Washington Times

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the joint operation aimed to "remove an existential threat posed" by Iran, adding that it "will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands." Washington Times

This latest offensive follows the "War of the 12 Days" in June 2025, during which Israel conducted strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities, military commanders, senior officials, and nuclear scientists — several of whom were killed along with family members.

Iran retaliated swiftly, launching missiles at several locations associated with U.S. military operations across the region, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Explosions were also reported in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Al Jazeera

Israeli and U.S. strikes killed several senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders and Iranian political officials, according to an Iranian source close to the establishment who spoke to Reuters. The Jerusalem Post

Iran's Security Council instructed residents of Tehran and other major cities to remain in safe, protected locations until further notice. Iran has repeatedly insisted that a complete cessation of uranium enrichment is "absolutely unacceptable" and has maintained that it does not intend to develop nuclear weapons. The day prior to the strikes, President Trump had expressed frustration with ongoing negotiations, stating that Iran simply would not utter the key words: "We are not going to have a nuclear weapon."