By Akpos Oje
Despite an intensifying campaign of Israeli airstrikes and the looming threat of a wider conflict, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly declared his readiness to die in defense of the Islamic Republic, dismissing fears of assassination or foreign intervention as futile attempts to weaken Iran’s resolve.
The 86-year-old cleric, often the symbolic and strategic backbone of Iran’s theocratic establishment, is said to have told senior aides that martyrdom in the face of aggression would only “strengthen the resistance” and inspire generations to come. According to TJ News Nigeria, quoting regional intelligence sources, Khamenei remains deeply involved in national security deliberations, even as Israeli forces continue targeting strategic assets and nuclear facilities across Iran.
Reports from The New York Times and The Jerusalem Post confirm that Khamenei has taken emergency precautions, including operating from a secure underground facility and reshuffling the top brass of Iran’s military leadership. But far from cowering, sources close to the Supreme Leader say he views the threat to his life as part of the broader struggle against Zionist and Western domination.
“Khamenei has not gone into hiding out of fear — he has gone into a command mode,” a senior Iranian official told TJ News. “His message to the Iranian people and to the world is clear: He is not afraid to die. He believes in the cause, and if martyrdom comes, so be it.”
The Supreme Leader reportedly bypassed the official succession process and named three staunch clerical loyalists to ensure ideological continuity should he be killed. Surprisingly, his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was excluded from the shortlist — a move seen as a rejection of dynastic politics and a reaffirmation of revolutionary ideals.
While Israeli airstrikes have claimed hundreds of lives and severely disrupted Iran’s military command infrastructure, Khamenei’s stance remains resolute. U.S. intelligence sources have revealed that the Biden administration is closely watching the situation, especially with speculation swirling about potential American involvement, given Washington’s unique bunker-buster capabilities aimed at Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility.
But Iran has drawn a clear red line. In a statement attributed to Khamenei’s inner circle, the Supreme Leader warned that “any direct involvement by the United States will be considered an act of war,” with retaliation to follow swiftly against U.S. interests in Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf.
In an effort to secure national defense against espionage and sabotage, Tehran has imposed a sweeping communications blackout, shutting down internet services and blocking international calls in key provinces. Officials say the clampdown is aimed at preventing intelligence leaks and hunting down alleged collaborators with foreign intelligence services.
Suspected informants have been ordered to surrender before Sunday (today) or face capital punishment.
Still, even in isolation, Khamenei’s message continues to echo throughout the region: Iran will not kneel to Israeli missiles or American threats. “We did not build this revolution to retreat at the sight of bombs,” he reportedly said in a closed-door briefing. “If they kill me, my blood will water the roots of resistance.”
