What is the story about?
Former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei had an underground bunker complex in central Tehran that included a blast-resistant room and multiple escape tunnels,
Iran International reported on Thursday, citing architectural plans obtained from an informed source.
The outlet said a separate security source had also verified the authenticity of the documents.
According to the report, the complex, known as Habib Ebrahimi, was situated adjacent to Khamenei’s official residence in Tehran.
Construction of the site reportedly began in 2009 after receiving Khamenei’s approval. The project was financed through the IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters.
The plans reportedly show a main entrance large enough for vehicles to enter and descend to a depth of about 30 metres below ground.
The complex also allegedly featured a 27-metre tunnel connected to several escape routes, along with another tunnel said to lead to a parking garage near Enghelab Square.
In early March, the Israel Defense Forces reportedly targeted the underground facility after intelligence gathered by the clandestine IDF units Unit 8200 and Unit 9900 identified its location.
The IDF said at the time that around 50 aircraft struck the secret underground site, which was spread across several blocks in central Tehran, using more than 100 munitions.
Iran International further reported that some of the images depicted a five-storey underground office building used by senior officials attached to the Supreme Leader’s Office.
Sources familiar with the project, speaking on condition of anonymity, said to the publication that the complex was concealed beneath a sports centre.
According to the report, the facility included a three-level parking garage, firing ranges and two shelters located roughly 30 and 35 metres underground.
One of the shelters reportedly contained a blast-resistant room designed to protect Khamenei from missile attacks.
Iran International said Khamenei was not inside the bunker during the Israeli operation. He was reportedly at a separate command complex when he was killed by the IDF during the opening strikes of Operation Roaring Lion.
The outlet said a separate security source had also verified the authenticity of the documents.
According to the report, the complex, known as Habib Ebrahimi, was situated adjacent to Khamenei’s official residence in Tehran.
Construction of the site reportedly began in 2009 after receiving Khamenei’s approval. The project was financed through the IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters.
Deep underground access and escape routes
The plans reportedly show a main entrance large enough for vehicles to enter and descend to a depth of about 30 metres below ground.
The complex also allegedly featured a 27-metre tunnel connected to several escape routes, along with another tunnel said to lead to a parking garage near Enghelab Square.
IDF strike on the bunker
In early March, the Israel Defense Forces reportedly targeted the underground facility after intelligence gathered by the clandestine IDF units Unit 8200 and Unit 9900 identified its location.
The IDF said at the time that around 50 aircraft struck the secret underground site, which was spread across several blocks in central Tehran, using more than 100 munitions.
Iran International further reported that some of the images depicted a five-storey underground office building used by senior officials attached to the Supreme Leader’s Office.
Sources familiar with the project, speaking on condition of anonymity, said to the publication that the complex was concealed beneath a sports centre.
Blast-resistant shelter for Khamenei
According to the report, the facility included a three-level parking garage, firing ranges and two shelters located roughly 30 and 35 metres underground.
One of the shelters reportedly contained a blast-resistant room designed to protect Khamenei from missile attacks.
Khamenei killed during Operation Roaring Lion
Iran International said Khamenei was not inside the bunker during the Israeli operation. He was reportedly at a separate command complex when he was killed by the IDF during the opening strikes of Operation Roaring Lion.
