Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei relocated after death of Hezbollah chief Nasrallah

Ayatollah Khamenei relocated to a secure site as Iran plans to send fighters to Lebanon following Israeli airstrikes.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been transferred to a secure location inside the country with heightened security measures in place, two regional officials briefed by Tehran told Reuters.

The sources said Iran was in constant contact with Lebanon's Hezbollah and other regional proxy groups to determine the next step after Israel announced that it had killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in a strike on south Beirut on Friday.

Following Israel's ongoing operations in Palestine and Gaza, tensions in the Middle East have escalated, with Israel launching airstrikes on Hezbollah headquarters in southern Lebanon. While Israel has claimed that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has been killed, Hezbollah has also confirmed the news.

The airstrikes also reportedly killed Nasrallah's daughter and the head of Hezbollah’s missile and drone unit during Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Israeli forces continue to target Hezbollah strongholds in the region.

In response, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has condemned the Israeli attacks, stating that "if anything were to happen to him, Hezbollah has a capable leadership to take his place".

Meanwhile, US-based NBC has reported that Iran is preparing to send militants to Lebanon to join the fighting. Hassan Akhtari, Iran's Deputy for Global Affairs, has hinted that the leadership will allow fighters to engage in Lebanon, reminiscent of the situation in 1981.