Amid rising tensions and swirling rumors, claims have emerged that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has retreated to an underground bunker in Tehran. These reports, fueled by assessments of a potential US strike, have been met with strong denials from Iranian officials.

According to a report by Iran International, an opposition-affiliated news agency, Khamenei's relocation to a "special underground shelter" followed warnings from senior military and security officials regarding an increased risk of a potential US attack. The alleged bunker is described as a fortified complex featuring interconnected tunnels designed to withstand attack. The report also stated that Khamenei's third son, Masoud Khamenei, has purportedly assumed responsibility for the daily management of his father's office, acting as the primary channel for communication with the executive branches of government.

However, these claims have been publicly refuted by Iranian officials. Saeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh, Iran's Consul General in Mumbai, India, dismissed the reports in an interview with NDTV on Saturday. While acknowledging that Khamenei, like any head of state, has security personnel protecting him, Motlagh stated, "one should not think that he is hidden in a bunker or a shelter". He added that Khamenei is conducting meetings remotely.

The rumors of Khamenei seeking shelter come at a time of heightened tensions in the region. Concerns have grown within Iran's leadership about possible external threats, particularly from the US, amid ongoing unrest and regional tensions. Adding to the speculation, reports indicate an increased US military presence in the region, including aircraft carrier strike groups operating near the Persian Gulf.

The situation remains fluid, and the veracity of the claims regarding Khamenei's whereabouts is difficult to ascertain. The New York Post also published a report Saturday stating that Khamenei was advised to relocate as a precaution amid rising tensions between Tehran and Washington. The 86-year-old cleric has led Iran since 1989.

While Iranian authorities have not acknowledged the reports and the claims could not be independently verified, Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that any direct attack on the country's leadership would trigger a severe military response.

Amid the conflicting reports, one thing remains clear: tensions in the region are high, and the situation is being closely watched by the international community.