Ali Khamenei’s secret bunker included blast-resistant room, escape tunnels under Tehran - report

What Happened

Iran International published architectural plans of a secret underground bunker complex built for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei beneath central Tehran. The plans, reportedly obtained from an informed source and confirmed by a security source, detail the 'Habib Ebrahimi' complex adjacent to Khamenei's official residence. Construction was initiated in 2009 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and financed through its Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters, with Khamenei's approval. The complex features a vehicle-accessible entrance descending 30 meters, a 27-meter tunnel connecting to multiple escape routes, a second tunnel to a parking garage near Enghelab Square, a five-story underground office building for senior officials, a three-level parking garage, target ranges, and two shelters at depths of 30 and 35 meters—one with a blast-resistant room. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted the bunker in early March, using intelligence from clandestine units 8200 and 9900; the IDF stated that 50 aircraft struck the multi-block site with over 100 munitions. Khamenei had been killed earlier by the IDF during the opening strikes of Operation Roaring Lion while at a different command complex.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The revelation exposes the scale and sophistication of Iran's leadership protection infrastructure, hidden beneath civilian areas in central Tehran, and highlights the IRGC's dual-use construction capabilities. It also underscores Israel's deep intelligence penetration and precision-strike capability against fortified, high-value targets inside Iran—a development that could reshape Iranian leadership security protocols and regional deterrence calculations, especially as Iran’s proxy networks and nuclear program face ongoing pressure.

Watch For

Monitor for Iranian state or IRGC reactions to the bunker report, including potential changes to leadership security arrangements or arrests related to the leak. Watch for follow-up reporting on the status of the complex after the March strike, and for any Israeli operational statements or leaks regarding post-Roaring Lion targeting of Iranian leadership infrastructure.