Heightened tensions between Iran and Israel have prompted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to delegate core military authority to the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Iran International. The decision coincides with reports that Khamenei, 86, and his family—including son Mojtaba—have been relocated to an underground bunker in Tehran’s Lavizan district to safeguard leadership continuity if he is incapacitated.
Israeli airstrikes have reportedly targeted several senior IRGC commanders, reshaping Iran’s military hierarchy. Among those slain were Guard commander Hossein Salami, missile chief Amir Ali Hajizadeh and military intelligence head Mohammad Kazemi. These attacks have dealt a major blow to Khamenei’s inner circle, creating a strategic vacuum that prompted the transfer of operational control to senior military figures.
With senior Guard leaders eliminated and defences damaged, Khamenei now relies heavily on the IRGC’s Supreme Council to direct Iran’s military response. The transfer, first reported by Iran International, was framed as a strategic buffer—ensuring command structure remains intact amid potentially destabilising assaults.
President Trump, acknowledging Khamenei’s bunker location via a Truth Social post, signalled US awareness but emphasised restraint, declaring that Iran’s leader was “safe there … We are not going to take him out … But our patience is wearing thin.”. US officials have not confirmed any change in US targeting protocols but note increased scrutiny on Iranian military movements.
This shift highlights a growing retreat of direct authority from the Supreme Leader. Analysts observe that, following the deaths of key IRGC commanders, Khamenei’s role has narrowed: former loyalists once coordinating regional proxy networks are largely gone, leaving Iran’s military chain fractured. At the same time, Mojtaba Khamenei appears to have become more central in state affairs, with many speculating about his ambition and alignment with IRGC leadership—fueling debate over succession dynamics.
Domestically, the decisions reflect an emergency governance posture. Iran’s judiciary has confirmed the implementation of de facto emergency conditions, though no formal wartime declaration has been made. Advancing missile and drone strikes against Israel, Iran continues to demonstrate retaliatory capacity. However, the capability gap left by the loss of senior commanders may hamper its strategic effectiveness.
Regionally, the strikes and threat of escalation have drawn international attention. Mid‑East capitals are on alert, with risks of civilian casualties and broader spillover rising. US officials emphasise de‑escalation, but European and Middle Eastern observers warn that miscalculation could ignite wider conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone further, urging domestic regime change in Tehran—even as the viability of such a shift remains questionable in the face of Iran’s powerful hardline networks.
The handover of military power marks a significant evolution in Iran’s command architecture: from a system dominated by the Supreme Leader’s personal authority to one increasingly reliant on institutionalised military control. Whether this structural shift can withstand escalating hostilities will shape Iran’s conduct in the conflict, the cohesion of its security apparatus, and the broader geopolitical equilibrium in the region.
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