Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly severed all electronic communications and retreated to an underground bunker amid fears of an assassination, according to a report by The New York Times.

The report, citing intelligence sources and Iranian insiders, claims that Khamenei, 86, is now directing the country through a trusted intermediary while avoiding any traceable digital contact.

The move comes as Israeli airstrikes on Iran continue into their second week, heightening concerns within Tehran’s leadership about regime destabilization.

“Ali Khamenei… has cut all electronic channels out of concern for his safety,” the report states, adding that the Supreme Leader is preparing for “worst-case scenarios,” including a potential coup.

It also notes that communications with senior military officials are now being conducted exclusively via one close aide.

In a striking revelation, the Times reports that Khamenei has made contingency plans to flee to Russia if the regime’s stability collapses. The Iranian leader has also reportedly formalized decisions regarding both military command succession and his own potential successor, identifying three senior clerics as candidates should he die during the crisis.

There has been no official response from Iranian authorities regarding the report, which comes at a time of extreme internal and external pressure on the Islamic Republic following U.S. and Israeli strikes on key nuclear sites.

The situation remains fluid, and analysts suggest these developments point to the most severe leadership security measures seen in Iran since the 1980s.

On the sidelines of the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Amir Khan Muttaqi, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Turkey, as well as key regional issues of mutual concern.

At the outset, Muttaqi emphasized the deep historical and cultural ties between the two nations and described Turkey as having a special and strategic role in the foreign policy of the Islamic Emirate.

He called for expanded bilateral cooperation alongside the growing level of engagement between Kabul and Ankara.

For his part, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reaffirmed the importance of Afghanistan for Turkey and stressed the need to further strengthen cooperation across various sectors.

The meeting was held in a spirit of mutual understanding, with both parties underscoring the importance of continued dialogue and constructive collaboration in pursuit of shared interests.

Amir Khan Muttaqi, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, stated during the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Istanbul that Afghanistan is facing “illegitimate” sanctions imposed by Western countries.

He said the United States, by freezing the assets of Afghanistan’s central bank, has significantly hindered the country’s path toward economic development.

Muttaqi called on Islamic countries to take a proactive role in lifting the political and economic sanctions imposed on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, urging them not to spare any effort in supporting Afghanistan during this critical time.

He emphasized that the Islamic Emirate has based its foreign relations on the principles of mutual respect and balanced engagement.

Highlighting Afghanistan’s strategic position in the heart of Asia, he stated the country is ready to serve as a vital hub for transit, trade, and economic connectivity among Islamic nations.

During the same session, Muttaqi also issued a stark warning regarding ongoing hostilities in the region.

He said that continued aggression and oppression by the Israeli regime against Palestine and Iran pose a direct threat to the security of the entire region and could lead to devastating consequences.

“I urge all member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take decisive action to stop the atrocities committed by the Israeli regime against Palestine and Iran,” Muttaqi said.