Israel Strikes Underground Bunker Beneath Compound Where Iran’s Supreme Leader Was Killed

Israel carried out repeated strikes on an underground bunker beneath the Tehran compound tied to Iran’s Supreme Leader in early 2024.

“It was supposed to be the headquarters of the Iranian response in the event of an attack by Israel and the United States”

Le Monde.fr

Le Monde reports an initial strike on Feb. 28 that reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials.

Le Monde.fr

Le Monde reports a large Mar. 5–6 raid involving about 50 aircraft and roughly 100 bombs.

The Wall Street Journal describes a large airstrike reported to involve about 50 fighter jets against a facility believed to be a bunker tied to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The New York Times says Israel struck an underground bunker beneath Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Tehran compound and that the Israeli military released video and graphics showing the bunker’s layout.

The sources differ on whether the Feb. 28 strike killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with Le Monde reporting his death and the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times not reporting that claim.

Reports describe the bunker as a deep, sprawling emergency command center with multiple entrances and rooms.

Independent verification has shown fresh damage and smoke around the compound, though key details remain unclear.

The New York Times

The New York Times says the bunker reportedly spanned multiple streets with several entrances and meeting rooms, and that its reporters reviewed Planet Labs satellite images and verified Telegram photos and video showing fresh damage and smoke around the compound.

Le Monde says Israeli intelligence found the command center still functioning, which prompted repeated strikes.

The Wall Street Journal cautions that these accounts are drawn from limited information and have not been independently verified, leaving uncertainty about the full structural extent and the immediate operational status after the attacks.

Israeli and U.S. statements framed the strikes as part of broader coordinated operations aimed at degrading Iran's military and command capabilities.

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The Wall Street Journal

Le Monde reports that Israel and the United States coordinated sustained strikes on Iranian military sites, ports, ships and leadership targets with the stated aim of 'breaking the enemy's backbone,' and that Israeli and U.S. statements claim near control of Iranian airspace, destruction of about 60% of missile launchers, dozens of leader deaths and other major impacts.

The Wall Street Journal frames the bunker attack as intended to 'dismantle the bunker site' and part of Israel's broader counter-Iran efforts.

The New York Times notes that 'two Israeli officials confirmed the facility had been used by Iran's leadership,' underlining the stated rationale for targeting it even as verification of broader claims remains incomplete.

The human and coalition costs and the wider consequences remain partly unclear in the accounts provided.

Some outlets report leader deaths tied to the strikes while others flag uncertainty about casualties from the most recent bunker attack.

The New York Times

Le Monde notes limited coalition losses reported so far.

The New York Times explicitly states it was "unclear whether the Friday attack caused any casualties."

Its reporters verified damage around the compound and prior strikes "that killed Khamenei last Saturday."

Le Monde records that "reported coalition losses have been minimal aside from six US soldiers killed in Kuwait."

Le Monde also warns that some claims about operational successes are "unverifiable."

The Wall Street Journal reiterates that key operational details come from limited information that has not been independently confirmed.