Iranian Rebels Claim Attack on Khamenei’s Headquarters
This week, Iranian rebels took responsibility for a significant attack on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s headquarters in Tehran. The clashes, described as “violent,” involved the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and reportedly resulted in over 100 injuries, deaths, or arrests among the combatants.
The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) stated that the operation kicked off early on Monday, February 23, coinciding with the morning call to prayer. It continued into the afternoon around the Motahari complex, a highly fortified area central to the Islamic Republic’s power structure.
The organization claimed that around 250 militants participated in the confrontations. They noted that more than 100 individuals were either “martyred, injured, or captured,” while over 150 others who were outside the main security perimeter returned safely by midnight in Tehran.
On Wednesday, PMOI/MEK disclosed that they provided names and details of an additional 26 individuals—those killed, missing, or detained during the operation—to the United Nations Special Rapporteur and other international human rights organizations, urging them to investigate their circumstances.
The group reiterated its request for international observers to meet with those detained and called for access to the bodies of those thought to have died in the clashes. Notably, two professional photographers who were documenting the event are among those reported missing; their details have also been sent to international authorities.
Furthermore, PMOI/MEK mentioned that following the incident, regime forces and IRGC air defense units remain on high alert around the complex.
While independent verification of specific casualty numbers was not possible, media sources linked to the regime confirmed an explosion and a disturbance in the heavily guarded Pasteur district.
The Motahari complex, covering approximately 0.5 square kilometers, houses Khamenei’s headquarters and various critical government councils. It is protected by a robust security apparatus featuring barriers against drones and reinforced walls over four meters high. Reports indicate there are around 5,000 Revolutionary Guards assigned to safeguard the site, led by Brigadier General Hassan Mashroui Far.
According to PMOI/MEK, the complex is monitored by 17 rotating surveillance cameras, with several reportedly disabled just before the attack due to suspected inside assistance.
Just after 6 a.m. local time, an explosion was heard in Tehran, marking the start of multiple attacks on Khamenei’s residence and the Supreme Council of National Security. News outlets highlighted the gravity of the disturbances occurring in, apparently, “the most secure areas” of the capital.
The situation raised serious questions about security vulnerabilities in such critical locations. Commentator Dr. Ivan Sasha Sheehan pointed out that if the reports are largely true, it indicates a significant level of organization among the attackers, contrasting with the idea of a spontaneous uprising.
He remarked that the ability to mobilize hundreds of operatives in such a monitored city suggests an established network rather than ad hoc efforts. This implies advance knowledge of security protocols and responses, potentially reflecting strong intelligence capabilities.
Dr. Sheehan also noted that ongoing operational capacities could affect how policymakers view stability within Iran, possibly indicating that change could originate from domestic forces rather than external influences.
The PMOI/MEK reported continued surveillance and arrests throughout Tehran after the clashes. Eyewitnesses described riot control vehicles at key intersections, with helicopters observed flying low in the aftermath. Schools in nearby areas have been closed.
This assault signifies a rare armed confrontation near the Islamic Republic’s core power center, highlighting the symbolic importance of the Motahari complex and the ongoing tension between organized resistance and Tehran’s security forces.
