US EditionIran’s Supreme Leader Faces His Defining Moment
- The highest authority in Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is confronted with a major crisis as Israeli air raids intensify against the country’s military and nuclear sites in June 2025.
- This escalation follows years of strategic consolidation by Khamenei, yet mounting sanctions, protests, and weakened proxies have strained regime stability.
- Israeli strikes include hitting Evin prison, seen as a symbol of repression, while Khamenei portrays the conflict as a spiritual struggle without necessarily expecting military victory.
- Donald Trump stated the US knows Khamenei's whereabouts and called him an easy target, but vetoed assassination plans; Netanyahu urged Iranians to seek freedom amid ongoing air campaigns.
- Khamenei may respond by increasing retaliation or seeking diplomacy to preserve his regime, whose survival remains uncertain amid internal and external pressures.
16 Articles
16 Articles
The Independent
The Independent (US)How will Iran’s embattled supreme leader respond to US strikes?
Seemingly sheltering in a bunker with limited access to the outside world, Ayatollah Khamenei has shrinking options available, writes chief international correspondent Bel Trew
Iran’s supreme leader may choose to reverse after a first round of reprisals, or prefer martyrdom and the construction of a nuclear weapon
The Ayatollah's Crossroads: Iran's Supreme Leader Faces Unprecedented Challenges
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, faces escalating pressures as Israel's aggressive stance threatens his rule. With Israel targeting Iran's military and nuclear capabilities, Khamenei is at a critical juncture, considering either escalation or diplomatic resolution. Khamenei's tenure has significantly shaped the Islamic Republic's political landscape, amidst both domestic and regional challenges.
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- 43% of the sources lean Left, 43% of the sources are Center
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