Islamic revolutionary to Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei's hardline stance includes backing terror groups, crushing dissent with an iron fist and ruling through fear and repression.

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday refused to discuss the possibility that Israel and the United States would kill Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and said the Iranian people were consolidating around the leadership in Tehran.

Explosions were heard in Tehran throughout the day Wednesday as Israel said its warplanes pounded Iran in three waves of strikes. Less than a week into the conflict , Israel now says its aircraft have free rein over the Iranian capital’s skies.