Khamenei’s underground bunker had become an IDF target during Israel’s strikes against Iran in March, with clandestine IDF units 8200 and 9900 providing intelligence on its location.
Former supreme leader Ali Khamenei’s underground bunker complex included a blast-resistant room and escape tunnels beneath central Tehran, Iran International reported on Thursday, citing architectural plans received from an informed source.
The documents’ authenticity were also confirmed by a security source, the outlet said.
According to Iran International, the plans show the complex, known as Habib Ebrahimi, as situated next to Khamenei’s official residence.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly began construction of the site in 2009 with Khamenei’s approval, financing the project through the IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters.
According to the plans, the main entrance was large enough to allow cars inside, and allow them to reach a depth of 30 meters underground.
Satellite imagery from an alleged Israeli strike on the bunker where Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is being guarded. (credit: FAIR USE UNDER ISRAELI COPYRIGHT LAW, ARTICLE 27A)
The compound also allegedly included a 27-meter tunnel linked to several different escape routes and a second tunnel reported to lead to a parking garage near the Enghelab Square in central Tehran.
In early March, the IDF had targeted the underground bunker using intelligence provided by the clandestine IDF units 8200 and 9900 to discover its location.
The IDF at the time had said that 50 aircraft had targeted the secret underground lair spread over several blocks in the heart of Tehran, with over 100 munitions.
Five-story underground office building for senior officials
Iran International further noted that several of the images also depicted a five-story underground office complex for senior officials attached to the Supreme Leader’s Office.
Sources familiar with the project, speaking toIran International on condition of anonymity, shared that the site was concealed beneath a reported sports center.
The facility included a three-level parking garage, target ranges and two shelters located approximately 30 and 35 meters beneath the surface, the sources shared, adding that one of the shelters housed a blast-resistant room to protect Khamenei from missiles.
Khamenei, who was killed by the IDF during the opening strikes of Operation Roaring Lion, had been at a regular command complex at the time of his death.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.