The reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in joint U.S.–Israeli airstrikes has dramatically shaken global geopolitical balances and pushed the Middle East into a new phase of heightened tension. In Iran, the development has sparked anger, threats of retaliation, and warnings from the country’s military leadership, raising fears of a broader regional escalation.
Iran’s elite military force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has openly declared its intention to retaliate. In an official statement, it warned that preparations are underway for what it described as “the largest military operations in the history of Iran’s armed forces” targeting Israel and U.S. bases across the region. The announcement has triggered alarm among Western governments, as analysts warn that any large-scale retaliation could quickly widen the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
At the same time, European governments are increasingly concerned about the potential spillover effects of the crisis. In Germany, authorities are assessing possible security risks linked to retaliation attempts beyond the Middle East. Following emergency consultations with the National Security Council in Berlin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that there is currently no concrete evidence of a significantly heightened threat level, but emphasized that the situation is being monitored closely and intensively.
Merz stressed that German intelligence agencies and police forces have already increased vigilance and remain on alert as the situation evolves. He also reminded that over the past decade there have been repeated attacks and plots targeting Iranian dissidents living in exile in Europe, highlighting concerns about the activity of Iranian intelligence networks on the continent.
In response to the developments, Germany’s Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt held urgent consultations with regional interior ministers to coordinate a unified response strategy. According to the German government, the protection of Jewish, Israeli, and American institutions has become a top security priority.
Berlin has made it clear that it will take a firm stance against any attempts to destabilize the country. German authorities emphasized that any antisemitic or anti-American attacks on German soil will not be tolerated, sending a strong signal that security measures across the country may be further strengthened if the regional situation escalates.
