Is Khamenei hiding in a bunker? Iran’s envoy to India rejects claims

Iran denies reports of Khamenei retreating underground amid US tension

• Iran's Consul General denies reports of Supreme Leader hiding in a bunker
• Iran reports 3,117 deaths in unrest, blames foreign agencies for escalating protests
• Tehran: Cooperation with India continues despite sanctions and economic strain

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Amid mounting geopolitical tensions and widespread speculation about Iran’s leadership, Tehran’s Consul General to India has dismissed reports claiming Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei has gone into hiding in a bunker.

Saeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh, Iran’s top diplomat in India, said the Supreme Leader is under security protection but rejected suggestions that he has retreated to an underground shelter. Speaking to NDTV, Motlagh said rumours about Khamenei’s whereabouts were exaggerated and politically motivated.

“It is natural that His Eminence must have security personnel protecting him… However, one should not think that he is hidden in a bunker or a shelter,” he said.

Speculation about Khamenei’s location has intensified as Iran faces sustained pressure from US sanctions, internal protests and rising tensions with Washington. Several foreign media outlets have claimed that the 86-year-old leader moved to a fortified bunker in Tehran amid fears of a possible US or Israeli strike.

Motlagh pushed back strongly against such narratives, saying Iran was not intimidated by foreign threats. “We are not afraid of any foreign powers. Some people are spreading rumours,” he said.

Addressing unrest within Iran, the diplomat alleged that foreign intelligence agencies were responsible for escalating protests. “Security forces showed flexibility and self-control towards the demonstrators until a turning point date… when terrorist elements received commands from their masters and bosses who were outside Iran,” he said.

Motlagh claimed that the unrest resulted in 3,117 deaths, including civilians and security personnel — a figure that differs from estimates cited by international rights groups.

On Iran’s security posture, he asserted that Tehran remains prepared for any external aggression, citing past conflicts to underline its defensive capabilities. “Our country has shown that it has the power to fend off any kind of aggression… if any forces want to act offensively against Iran, we are completely prepared to defend ourselves,” he said.

The consul general also commented on Iran’s relations with India, acknowledging that sanctions have strained bilateral ties but insisting cooperation continues despite economic challenges. He added that no foreign nationals had been harmed during the recent unrest.

Motlagh defended Iran’s temporary internet restrictions, describing them as necessary to counter what Tehran sees as external efforts to destabilise the country through online platforms. He said connectivity was gradually being restored.

The remarks come as US President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric against Iran, announcing the movement of American naval assets towards the region. Trump warned that any use of force by Tehran to suppress protests could invite US action, although he later suggested large-scale executions were unlikely.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that any attack on the Supreme Leader would be treated as an act of war. Iranian media have also reported that such a move would trigger a declaration of jihad.

Despite persistent claims that Khamenei has reduced his public appearances, Iranian officials insist he continues to hold virtual meetings and remains actively engaged in state affairs.