World War 3 Started? Where Is Ali Khamenei? Questions Mount After US-Israel Strikes on Tehran

Speculation intensified on Saturday over the location of Ali Khamenei after Israeli and US forces carried out coordinated strikes in Tehran, with early reports indicating that one of the impact zones was close to the Supreme Leader's office complex in the capital.

Sources familiar with the situation said Khamenei had been moved out of Tehran before the strikes took place and was shifted to a secure undisclosed location. Iranian authorities have not publicly commented on his whereabouts, but the lack of visibility has added to the sense of uncertainty following the unprecedented attack on high-profile sites in the city.

US President Donald Trump acknowledged that American forces were involved in the operation, describing it as a decisive step against what he called immediate threats posed by Iran. In a video message, he defended the action as necessary to protect US personnel, overseas bases and allied nations, while reiterating that Washington would not allow Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons.

Trump also accused Iran's leadership of sustaining long-standing hostility toward the United States and warned that further action could follow if required.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz characterised the strikes as preventive, stating they were intended to dismantle capabilities that Israel views as direct security threats.

The military escalation follows months of rising friction over Iran's nuclear and missile programmes. Diplomatic efforts had shown signs of strain in recent weeks, and public remarks from Washington suggested that military options were under active consideration. With Tehran now facing direct strikes near the heart of its leadership, regional tensions have entered a far more volatile phase.