Middle East analyst Yoni Ben Menachem said members of Israel’s security cabinet were informed that Mojtaba Khamenei remains alive and is currently inside Iran, contradicting reports that he had left the country.

Ben Menachem warned that unverified claims surrounding Khamenei’s location could be deliberately circulated to provoke reactions and extract intelligence. Once rumors spread, officials and other informed figures may inadvertently reveal sensitive information while attempting to confirm or deny them.

Addressing the continuing US-Iran confrontation, Ben Menachem assessed that despite the escalating strikes and threats, both Washington and Tehran continue to leave the door open for negotiations.