Iran > Did Mojtaba Khamenei flee Iran?

 

According to World Israel News, he has. Buy why? Who is he afraid of: Americans, Israelis, or the IRGC?

Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has fled the country – report

 July 19, 2026

Mojtaba Khamenei (X)

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is reportedly issuing statements in the name of Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, after he left the country.

By World Israel News Staff

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is no longer inside the country and recent statements attributed to him were written by senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials, according to an Israeli security official cited Sunday by the Saudi broadcaster Al Hadath.

The official provided no evidence for the claim and did not identify the country where Khamenei was purportedly staying. Iran did not immediately confirm or respond to the report, which could not be independently verified.

According to the Israeli official, Khamenei has become completely disconnected from developments inside Iran, leaving IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi and other senior officers to compose statements in his name and present an appearance of leadership continuity.

The allegation would represent a significant escalation from previous reports describing Khamenei as isolated in a secret location with extremely restricted communications. Earlier American intelligence reporting said messages reached him through what officials described as “a labyrinth of couriers,” but did not indicate that he had left Iran.

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Questions surrounding Khamenei’s whereabouts, health and authority have persisted since he succeeded his father, Ali Khamenei, following the previous supreme leader’s death in US-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28.

The younger Khamenei was reportedly injured in the same attack and has not made a confirmed public appearance since his appointment on March 8. He was also absent from the extensive funeral ceremonies held for his father earlier this month, despite reports that he had sought permission to attend.

Iranian officials attributed his absence to injuries and the danger that a public appearance could allow Israel to locate or assassinate him. President Masoud Pezeshkian said in May that he had met Khamenei and that the supreme leader’s condition was improving.

The IRGC published what it described as a new photograph of Khamenei on July 11 and said he was in “complete health.” The image did not resolve doubts over his location or the extent to which he was personally directing government decisions.

Iranian state media have instead issued a succession of written messages attributed to the supreme leader. In a statement released Saturday, Khamenei purportedly said repeated American violations of a memorandum signed with Tehran had shown that President Donald Trump’s signature was “utterly worthless and devoid of credibility.”

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The statement also warned that Iran and the regional “resistance front” had “unforgettable lessons” for the United States as fighting between the two countries intensified.

The Israeli official cited by Al Hadath claimed those and other messages were not written by Khamenei, but by Vahidi and members of the Revolutionary Guard seeking to conceal the leader’s absence and maintain the appearance of a functioning command structure.

No independent evidence has emerged establishing who prepared or approved the written statements. Reuters reported earlier this month that senior Iranian sources believed Khamenei was continuing to make decisions while recovering, even though he was not well enough to appear publicly.

His prolonged absence has nevertheless become an increasingly serious political problem for the Islamic Republic. Iran’s supreme leader is constitutionally the country’s highest authority, with control over the armed forces, intelligence apparatus, judiciary and major elements of foreign and domestic policy.

Khamenei entered the office without the public political history or senior religious standing possessed by his predecessors. His influence before becoming supreme leader was largely exercised behind the scenes through his father’s office and his close relationships with Revolutionary Guard commanders.

Those ties have fueled speculation that the IRGC is exercising unprecedented control over the state while the supreme leader remains hidden.

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“The internal divisions in Iran are deep and threaten the very existence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” the Israeli official told Al Hadath.

The official also claimed that Iranian operatives had prepared a sophisticated plan to assassinate senior Israeli figures in central Tel Aviv in retaliation for Ali Khamenei’s death.

No details were provided about the intended targets, the alleged method of attack or whether any suspects had been arrested. Israeli authorities have not publicly announced the disruption of such a plot.

Iran and its allied organizations have repeatedly threatened to avenge the elder Khamenei’s killing. Vahidi said earlier this month that pursuing those responsible for the US-Israeli operation would remain a permanent Iranian priority.

The Israeli source separately claimed that Washington does not want Israel participating in offensive operations against Iran, even in response to an Iranian attack.

The United States has not publicly confirmed such a restriction.

Middle East Madness > Lebanon outlaws the IRGC; PA admits 'Pay for Slay' terrorism is still happening

 

Lebanon outlaws the IRGC

Hosna ⚖️ בניטה

@DOGEQEEN

🚨 UPDATE: In a stunning move that nobody saw coming, Lebanon's government has imposed a full ban on ALL Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) activities inside Lebanese territory. Security forces ordered to HUNT DOWN, arrest, and DEPORT any IRGC members found operating there.

10:16 AM · Jun 14, 2026

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177.4K  Views

Palestinian Authority Admits to ‘Pay for Slay’

Jun 17, 2026 4:00 pm By Hugh Fitzgerald3 Comments

As is well known, the Palestinian Authority provides generous monthly stipends to imprisoned terrorists and to the families of terrorists who died during their attacks. This is known as the PA’s “Pay For Slay” program. The PA has tried to hide it, by providing the payments under other names and for other, fabricated reasons (such as describing them as payments to the poor) and by urging members not to discuss it lest the cursed Israelis eavesdrop and record the remarks. The PA fears that evidence of the Pay-For-Slay program’s continuance could convince Western donors to cease their support. More on how one Palestinian commentator, while warning his audience not to discuss the program by name, nonetheless did exactly what he warned against. More on his comical slip-up is here: 

Palestinian radio: Shh… Don’t admit Pay-for-Slay continues because PMW is listening

by Ephraim D. Tepler and Itamar Marcus, Palestinian Media Watch, June 14, 2026:

…Since 2011, when Palestinian Media Watch exposed Pay-for-Slay—the PA policy of paying salaries to imprisoned terrorists and families of dead terrorists, PMW has been the world’s source for “gathering all the information” about the PA’s terror-reward program.

In other words, the PA is very concerned that PMW is watching, recording, and exposing it, as PA TV’s Israel Affairs expert Fayed Abbas said: “An extremist right-wing organization Palestinian Media Watch… is watching me now, recording me, and preparing reports.”

And yet, having just warned that it would be better not to say too much live on air, the radio host went ahead and said it anyway: A large part of the terrorists’ salaries has already been paid.

So much for the PA’s claims to donor countries that it has canceled or reformed Pay-for-Slay.

Al-Hurriyah Radio host: “Suhaila Al-Najjar asks: Is there no news about the prisoners’ (i.e., terrorists’) salaries?

Actually, there is. A large part [of the prisoners’ salaries] was paid through the banks. You can contact the relevant and responsible bodies. We don’t want to talk much about the subject live, because you know the Israelis (i.e., PMW) are trying to gather all the information. But I think that – it has already been published. There are reports that have reported on the prisoners’ salaries, and the relatives of the Martyrs and the families of the wounded – and I believe that a large part of it has already been paid.”

[Al-Hurriyah Radio, Facebook page, June 3, 2026]

This short exchange tells the whole story.

The PA has not stopped its terror salary program. It has simply become more careful, coded, and nervous about being exposed….

The same radio host on Al-Hurriyah who warned his audience not to talk about you-know-what because those damned Israelis are listening in, trying to get the goods on us about it, nonetheless spilled the beans himself just before he gave that warning.

Oopsy-daisy. The radio host made a frank admission that Pay-For-Slay is still going on, that much of what is due — those “salaries” — has now been paid, and you need only go to the relevant bank to collect. What was it those Palestinians keep forgetting? Loose lips sink ships. Or in their case, battleships.

No matter, Canada and other Western countries will continue to send millions of dollars to the PA to help raise the standard of living of the terrorists, murderers, and their families.

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Iran's Anti-Israel Aggression has Greatly Improved Israel's Standing in the Middle East

And revealed Iran for the threat that it is

Russia backs off Syrian air defense after

Putin-Netanyahu meeting

By Ed Adamczyk (UPI)

After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, L, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow Thursday, Russia said it would not deliver an upgraded missile-defense system to Syria. Photo courtesy The Kremlin

Russia has reversed course and dropped plans to deliver advanced S-300 air-defense systems to Syria, a Kremlin spokesman said Friday.

The change followed a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Israel became concerned about the possible arrival of a new defense system in Syria after a wave of airstrikes on targets in Syrian by French, British and U.S. fighter planes in April. The airstrikes were retaliation for an alleged chemical weapons attack by Syria.

At least, that was the excuse. 

Israel worried installation of the defense systems could upset the balance of power in Syria and could make Israeli aircraft penetration more difficult.

Supply lines in Syria, manned primarily by Iranian soldiers, have been a frequent target of Israeli airstrikes. A large attack occurred Wednesday and Thursday after Syrian troops, the Israeli armed forces say, fired a barrage of missiles into the Israeli-held Golan Heights.

The presence of the S-300 system could have complicated Israel's efforts, the Moscow Times reported Friday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was never a formal plan to equip Syria with the systems, but Kremlin aide Vladirmir Kozhin said, "We're not discussing any deliveries of advanced new systems," and added the Syrian military "has everything it needs."

Last month, Russia hinted it might supply the materials to the Syrian regime.

So, remarkably, Russia appears to agree with Israel that is has a right to defend itself from the Iranian build-up of men and missiles by pre-emptive strikes within Syria. Both Syria and Iran are Russian allies. This must leave Putin in a very uncomfortable position. Nevertheless, it was the right thing to do.

Just as remarkable was the agreement by the EU that Israel was justified in its actions...

EU, British PM back Israel’s right to defend itself from Iranian strikes

UN secretary general urges 'immediate halt to all hostile acts and any provocative actions' as Security Council members refuse to call emergency meeting

By AFP and TOI STAFF

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini addresses a press conference during a Foreign Ministers meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels on March 19, 2018. (AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS)

The European Union on Thursday backed Israel’s right to defend itself and called on “all regional actors to show restraint” after widespread strikes against Iranian targets in Syria, in response to Iranian rockets fired towards the Golan Heights.

“Reports about last night’s Iranian attacks against Israeli army posts from inside Syria to which Israel responded by striking against Iranian targets in Syria are extremely worrying,” the European External Action Service (EEAS) said in a statement.

“As the EU has said repeatedly, Israel has the right to defend itself,” the statement added.

“At the same time, we call on all regional actors to show restraint and avoid any escalation, which could further undermine regional stability.”

Stability? What stability?

British Prime Minister Theresa May also said she “strongly supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Iranian aggression” in a call Thursday evening with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, her office said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May (L) poses with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside 10 Downing Street in London on November 2, 2017.(AFP Photo/Tolga Akmen)

A spokesperson said May condemned the Iranian rocket attacks against Israeli forces and reiterated Downing Street’s earlier call on Iran to refrain from any further attacks and for calm on all sides.

Both leaders were said to agree it was “vital for the international community to continue working together to counter Iran’s destabilizing regional activity, and for Russia to use its influence in Syria to prevent further Iranian attacks.”

Netanyahu’s office said he expressed his appreciation for May’s position.

Iranian forces fired some 20 rockets at northern Israeli military bases from southern Syria just after midnight Wednesday. The IDF said it suffered no casualties, either on the ground or in the air, and that no rockets fired from Syria  hit Israeli territory.

The IDF hit over 50 targets in Syria in overnight strikes in response, including Iranian intelligence sites, logistic centers, weapons depots, and military bases operated by the Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force.

Anti-aircraft fire rises into the sky as Israeli missiles hit air defense positions and other military bases around Damascus, Syria, on May 10, 2018, following what the Israeli military said was an Iranian barrage of rockets against Israeli bases on the Golan Heights. (Syrian Central Military Media, via AP)

The exchange was the largest-ever direct clash between the Iranian forces and the IDF, and appeared to be the largest exchange involving Israel in Syria since the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for an “immediate halt to all hostile acts” in the Middle East.

In his statement, Guterres also called on the Security Council to “remain actively seized of the matter and shoulder its responsibilities” under the UN Charter.

“The Secretary-General urges an immediate halt to all hostile acts and any provocative actions to avoid a new conflagration in the region already embroiled in terrible conflicts with immense suffering of civilians,” a spokesman for Guterres said.

But, amazingly, no condemnation of Israel. The UN rarely misses an opportunity like this.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a speech at the 54th Munich Security Conference on February 16, 2018, in Munich, Germany. (AFP Photo/Thomas Kienzle)

None of the Security Council’s 15 members were ready to call an emergency meeting on the situation — which has prompted calls for restraint from the international community.

When asked if they would call an emergency meeting, ambassadors from Poland, Russia, France and Britain all responded: “Not at this point.”

Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, sent letters to the Security Council and the secretary-general calling for condemnation of “Iran’s acts of aggression.” He also asked the Security Council to “demand that Iran remove its military presence from Syria.”

Why not throw a 'Hail Mary', or two, while the UN is on its heels.

So, Putin standing off, the EU approves, the UN standing off, and even at least one Gulf State supports Israel. No doubt most do in this anti-Iran endeavour, but are reluctant to say so. Not Bahrain...

Bahrain backs Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in Syria

In rare endorsement of IDF operation, FM Al-Khalifa says any country in the region has the 'right to defend itself'

By RAPHAEL AHREN

Bahrain Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, during a meeting at the Arab League headquarters in the Egyptian capital Cairo, on November 19, 2017. (AFP Photo/Khaled Desouki)

In an extremely rare expression of support for an Israeli military operation, the foreign minister of Bahrain on Thursday said Israel’s overnight attack on Iranian targets in Syria was legitimate in light of Tehran’s increasing aggression.

“As long as Iran continues the current status quo of its forces and rockets operating in the region, any country — including Israel — has the right to defend itself by eliminating the source of danger,” Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa posted on his Twitter account, writing in Arabic.

Responding to missiles fired into Israel from Syria, the Israeli Air Force overnight launched a major operation against Iranian targets in the country, wiping out much of Tehran’s military infrastructure there, officials said.

The missiles, which according to Israel were fired by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ al-Quds Force, were targeting forward operating bases on the Golan Heights, a territory much of the international community considers illegally occupied by Israel.

At least 23 troops were killed during the Israeli retaliatory strike, 18 them non-Syrians, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Non-Syrians would be Iranians!

Earlier on Thursday, the UK and Germany condemned the Islamic Republic for shooting rockets at Israeli bases and called on the two sides not to escalate the situation.

“The United Kingdom condemns in the strongest terms the Iranian rocket attacks against Israeli forces. We strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself,” Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson arrives in Downing Street in London on March 7, 2018. (AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS)

“We urge Iran to refrain from further actions which will only lead to increased instability in the region. It is crucial to avoid any further escalations, which would be in no one’s interest,” he added. “We also continue to call on Russia to use its influence to press those in Syria to cease their destabilizing activity and work towards a broader political settlement.”

A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry in Berlin said Germany was “deeply concerned” by Iran’s rocket attacks on Israeli army outposts.

“These attacks are a severe provocation that we most strongly condemn. We have always emphasized that Israel has the right to defend itself,” the spokesperson said.

“At the same time, it is key that the situation not escalate any further,” she added. “This particularly means we must do everything we can to finally arrive at a sustainable political solution to the conflict in Syria – it is needed to end the suffering of the Syrian population, and to not further threaten stability in the entire region.”

Meanwhile Russia, a staunch ally of Iran and Syria, called “for restraint from both sides.”

Moscow is “concerned” by the tension, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said. “We have established contacts with all parties and we call for restraint from all parties. It’s very worrying and a source of concern. We have to work to ease the tension.”

Four of the 20 projectiles launched at Israel were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system and the rest fell in Syria, according to the IDF.

Although one apparently fell in Lebanon. 

Lebanese soldiers inspect remains of a Syrian surface-to-air missile that had apparently been fired at Israeli jets during an extensive air campaign against Iranian targets in Syria, which landed in the southern Lebanese village of Hebarieh, on May 10, 2018. (Ali Dia/AFP)

The rockets included both Grad and Fajr-5 models, according to the military. The IDF said the initial missile barrage was launched by members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ al-Quds Force.

It appeared to be the first time Israel attributed an attack directly to Iran, which generally operates through proxies.

In all, the army said it carried out approximately 50 retaliatory raids against IRGC targets, including intelligence centers, weapons depots, storage facilities, observation posts, and logistics centers in Syria, as well as the rocket launcher that carried out the initial attack.

The overnight exchange was the largest-ever direct clash between the Iranian and Israeli militaries, and appeared to be the largest exchange involving Israel in Syria since the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

An illustrative map showing the general locations of Israeli strikes in Syria in response to a presumed Iranian attack on the Golan Heights on May 10, 2018. (Israel Defense Forces)

The military said it also targeted a number of Syrian air defense systems — SA-5, SA-2, SA-22 and SA-17 batteries — that had fired at Israeli planes, despite the military’s Arabic-language spokesperson explicitly warning earlier that “any Syrian involvement will be met with the utmost severity.

In the days and weeks before the Iranian barrage, defense officials repeatedly warned that Israel would respond aggressively to any attack from Syrian territory.

Tehran has repeatedly vowed revenge after the T-4 army base in Syria was struck in an air raid — widely attributed to Israel — on April 9, killing at least seven members of the IRGC, including a senior officer responsible for the group’s drone program.

With all the non-intercepted rockets landing in Syria or Lebanon, the entire Middle East ought to be extremely worried that these fools should get their hands on nuclear weapons. God only knows where they might fall.