Monday, January 26, 2026 - Iran’s supreme leader has been moved to a high-security underground shelter amid rising fears of a possible US military attack, as tensions escalate between Tehran and Washington.The development comes as senior Iranian military officials warn of an increased risk of US action, with protests continuing across the country and security forces carrying out a deadly crackdown. The bunker is believed to be designed to protect the leader during wartime scenarios, while his third son, Masoud Khamenei, has reportedly taken over management of his father’s day-to-day affairs as the Ayatollah remains in hiding.
The heightened alert follows comments last week by President Donald Trump, who said American warships were being deployed toward
Iran “just in case” military action becomes necessary.
“We have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and
maybe we won’t have to use it,” Trump said.
A US Navy official confirmed on Thursday that the aircraft
carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying warships are currently positioned
in the Indian Ocean, moving closer to the Middle East.
Tensions between Iran and the United States have remained
high since a wave of protests erupted on December 28, triggered by the collapse
of Iran’s currency, the rial. The demonstrations have been met with a violent
response from Iranian authorities.
President Trump has repeatedly warned Tehran, setting what
he described as two red lines for potential military intervention: the killing
of peaceful protesters and the mass execution of those arrested during the
demonstrations.
Although Iran reportedly halted the execution of around 800
people detained during the unrest, US officials say Trump remains angered by
how Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has handled the situation.
On Sunday, January 25, an Iranian official warned that any
attack by the United States would trigger a full-scale conflict, as Washington
continues its military build-up in the region.
“This time we will treat any attack, limited, unlimited,
surgical, kinetic, whatever they call it – as an all-out war against us, and we
will respond in the hardest way possible to settle this,” the official told
Reuters on condition of anonymity.
“If the Americans violate Iran’s sovereignty and territorial
integrity, we will respond. This military build-up – we hope it is not
intended for real confrontation, but our military is ready for the worst-case
scenario. This is why everything is on high alert in Iran.”
Iranian state television has also issued strong warnings,
including a broadcast that referenced a failed assassination attempt on Trump
in 2024, declaring that “this time, the bullet won’t miss.”
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