The United States and Israel have launched a new round of attacks on Iran, again derailing negotiations over Iran's nuclear program and raising questions about efforts to target the country's security and leadership apparatus.

On Saturday, strikes in Iran, including some areas of the capital Tehran, targeted sites linked to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

Khamenei has been Iran's Supreme Leader since 1989, holding ultimate authority over all branches of government, the military, and the judiciary. He has withstood adversarial relations with the West, including intense sanctions and domestic protests.

US and Israeli officials have previously issued threats against Khamenei. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in June that Khamenei "cannot continue to exist," while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not ruled out assassination attempts. US President Donald Trump has called Khamenei an "easy target."

Al Jazeera correspondent Ali Hashem stated that the US-Israeli attacks are "mainly aimed at decapitating [the political elite]."

Source: www.aljazeera.com