Iranian President Injured in Israeli Airstrike, State Media Reports
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was slightly injured in Israeli airstrikes on June 16 that targeted an underground bunker in western Tehran, according to state media Fars. The attack, which involved six bombs, damaged the facility and cut power, forcing the president to flee through an emergency shaft and sustain leg injuries. The strike reportedly coincided with a meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, where top officials were present. The operation was modeled after the September 2024 strikes in Beirut that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, according to Fars.
During the 12-day war that ended with a US-brokered ceasefire on June 24, Israeli forces killed several senior Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists. In an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson released last week, Pezeshkian said Israel had tried to assassinate him. Israel has not commented on the claim. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the attack to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The US backed the strikes and joined Israeli raids on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22. Tehran, which denies it is pursuing a military nuclear program, condemned the attacks as unprovoked.
While Iran’s state-affiliated outlet Fars reports the incident, independent verification of the claims remains difficult. The international community, including the United Nations, has called for restraint and dialogue to de-escalate tensions between Iran and Israel. The incident highlights the ongoing military tensions in the region, with both sides accused of escalating hostilities despite efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution.