Khamenei in Hiding: The Blindfolded Road to Tehran’s Secret Bunkers
Exclusive reports reveal Ali Khamenei has fled to a secret underground complex in Tehran. With his sons Masoud and Mojtaba managing the regime and officials arriving blindfolded to secret meetings, Iran enters "bunker mode" ahead of a potential U.S. strike.
According to recent investigative reports from Iran International, the Islamic Republic has shifted into a "bunker mentality" due to the credible threat of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.
Ali Khamenei has reportedly moved into a highly fortified underground complex beneath Tehran. This facility is part of a "hardened" network of interconnected tunnels designed to withstand deep-penetrating munitions.
To prevent the exact location from being leaked or targeted by signal intelligence, high-ranking officials summoned to meet Khamenei are reportedly transported in blackened-out vehicles and, in some cases, blindfolded for the final leg of the journey into the tunnels.
Recent commercial satellite imagery (early February 2026) showed that multiple entrances to known underground facilities in locations like Isfahan and Tehran have been covered or buried to complicate access for ground forces or aerial "bunker-buster" strikes.
Ali Larijani’s "Secret" Briefing
Ali Larijani, a top advisor to the Supreme Leader, traveled to Muscat, Oman, on February 10, 2026. This trip was widely viewed as a "higher-level" diplomatic follow-up to indirect nuclear talks between Tehran and the Trump administration.
Reports suggest that Larijani was among the few officials cleared to meet Khamenei in the bunker before his departure. His role has been elevated to Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, signaling that Khamenei is bypassing traditional foreign ministry channels to deal directly with Washington through trusted veterans.
The report also highlights a "shadow transition" where Khamenei's sons have taken over the machinery of the state:
Masoud Khamenei has reportedly taken over the day-to-day management of the Supreme Leader’s office. He serves as the primary gateway for communication between the bunker and the executive branch of the government (President Pezeshkian's office).
Mojtaba Khamenei remains the "political mastermind" and is seen as the favorite successor. He maintains direct contact with the IRGC (Revolutionary Guard) top brass and oversees the regime's strategic and financial networks.