Originally published in The New York Post

WASHINGTON — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly retreated to a fortified underground bunker after being warned by senior advisers that U.S. airstrikes could be imminent, according to a report published Saturday by the New York Post.

The 86-year-old cleric, who has led Iran since 1989, was advised to relocate as a precaution amid rising tensions between Tehran and Washington, the report said, citing unnamed sources familiar with Iranian security discussions. Khamenei is believed to be sheltering in a hardened underground complex connected to tunnel networks designed to withstand aerial attacks.

The reported move comes as U.S. military assets have increased their presence in the region, including aircraft carrier strike groups operating near the Persian Gulf. U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed plans for airstrikes, and the Pentagon has not commented on the report.

According to the Post, Khamenei has delegated some operational responsibilities to aides and family members while remaining in contact with senior officials. Iranian authorities have not acknowledged that the supreme leader has gone into hiding, and the claims could not be independently verified.

Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that any direct attack on the country’s leadership would trigger a severe military response. In recent statements, commanders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard have said the country is prepared to retaliate against U.S. forces if conflict escalates.

The report also comes amid ongoing internal pressures on Iran’s leadership, including economic strain and periodic unrest. Khamenei has previously accused the United States and its allies of attempting to destabilize Iran through sanctions and covert actions.

Neither the White House nor Iran’s mission to the United Nations immediately responded to requests for comment.

By Shane Galvin

Originally published in The New York Post

https://nypost.com/2026/01/24/world-news/irans-supreme-leader-retreats-underground-warned-of-likelihood-of-us-airstrikes-report/