Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian suffered minor leg injuries in an Israeli airstrike targeting the capital Tehran. The attack occurred on June 16, when Mr. Pezeshkian was attending a high-level meeting with many Iranian officials at a building in the western part of the city.
Accordingly, in addition to the President, a number of other senior leaders, including the National Assembly Chairman and the Iranian Minister of Justice, were also injured in the incident. The meeting took place in the basement of the building, when a series of missiles were launched, accompanied by blocks of explosives that were set off, directly targeting the meeting location as well as emergency exits.
A local newspaper said the attack tactic appeared to be applied by Israel similar to the one used to assassinate Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Six missiles were used to block all drainage routes, causing widespread power outages, paralyzing the ventilation system in the building.
Although the explosions disrupted operations and caused power outages, the Iranian leaders promptly escaped through a backup escape route. While fleeing, President Pezeshkian and several others suffered minor injuries.
Speaking in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, Mr. Pezeshkian accused Israel of being behind the assassination attempt. The president said the attack occurred as he and his colleagues were discussing further steps amid the escalation of the conflict with Israel.
Through a video call and an accompanying version, Mr. Pezeshkian said: It was Israel that tried to kill me, not the US... Because there were spies, Israel bombed the area where we were present.
The Iranian president said that with his faith in God, he was not afraid to sacrifice for the country. Only God the All-powerful decides a persons life and death, he said, emphasizing a steadfast stance against all external threats.
