Iran's Supreme Leader relocated after Hezbollah chief killed in airstrike
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, has been transported to a secure location within the country with increased security measures in place, Reuters reported, quoting two regional officials informed by Tehran. According to the sources, Iran was in constant contact with Lebanon's Hezbollah and other regional proxy groups to assess the next steps after Israel announced that Hezbollah head Hassan Nasrallah had been killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Khamenei called an urgent meeting
Before the move, Khamenei called an urgent meeting with the Supreme National Council on Friday night following reports that Israel had attacked its closest ally, Nasrallah. It was the first time since July 31 that Khamenei has called an emergency meeting with the council. The council is responsible for addressing national security threats and shaping both foreign and domestic policy. The last time such a meeting was convened was when Israel assassinated a top Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran.
Iran condemns Israel's attack as 'undeniable war crime'
The meeting came as Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and the foreign ministry issued statements strongly criticizing Israel's attack, calling it "an undeniable war crime," without naming Nasrallah. They labeled it "an undeniable war crime" without specifically mentioning Nasrallah. The Israeli military has been carrying out airstrikes in Lebanon since Monday, targeting Hezbollah positions and its allies.
Nasrallah killed
On Saturday, the Israeli military confirmed that Hezbollah chief Nasrallah was killed in an airstrike, targeting Hezbollah's main headquarters, in Beirut on Friday. In addition to Nasrallah, the commander of Hezbollah's so-called Southern Front, Ali Karaki, was killed, along with other officers. Channel 12 reported that the daughter of Nasrallah was also killed in the massive Israeli airstrikes, which the Lebanese health authorities said claimed six lives and injured 91 others.
