Tehran confirms Israeli airstrike targeted president in failed coup attempt

Department of Research, Studies and International News 14-07-2025

President Pezeshkian Escapes Assassination with Minor Injuries; Iran Vows Accountability as Investigations Continue.

Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian sustained light injuries during an Israeli aerial assault that struck a high-level government meeting in Tehran on June 15, according to senior Iranian sources. The failed attack, described as a direct attempt to destabilize the Islamic Republic’s leadership, took place amid heightened regional tensions and was reportedly timed to sabotage imminent nuclear negotiations.

A senior Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity said the operation specifically targeted the top echelons of the Iranian government, the heads of the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches, in what he described as a “calculated attempt to decapitate the leadership.” The official vowed retribution, asserting that “Israel will not escape the consequences of this act of war.”

The incident occurred during a meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council at a government compound in western Tehran. Reports from Iran’s semiofficial Fars News Agency revealed that the assault involved six precision-guided missiles, believed to have been launched by Israeli forces. These missiles struck entry and exit points of the facility, effectively sealing it off and disrupting ventilation, suggesting a premeditated intent to trap and eliminate key officials inside.

Despite the severity of the attack, President Pezeshkian and other senior figures managed to evacuate the building using a designated emergency route. The president reportedly suffered a minor injury to his leg during the escape. The facility also lost electrical power, complicating emergency procedures.

In the aftermath, Iranian intelligence launched a comprehensive investigation, with early assessments pointing to the possibility of internal espionage or cyber infiltration. The accuracy of the strike, hitting a concealed, secure location at a critical moment, raised alarms about Israeli penetration of national security networks. Iranian authorities have not ruled out the presence of Mossad assets on Iranian soil.

This revelation comes just days after President Pezeshkian spoke publicly about the attempt on his life in an interview with American commentator Tucker Carlson. In that exchange, the president confirmed that “Israel made a real attempt to assassinate me, but they did not succeed.” He clarified that while some speculated about U.S. involvement, “It was not America, it was the Zionist regime.”

The timing of the strike was notable. The Israeli assault occurred just 48 hours before scheduled nuclear discussions between Iran and the United States. Tehran has since accused Tel Aviv of deliberately undermining diplomacy and fueling instability to preserve its regional hegemony and sabotage Iran’s scientific and defense progress.

The airstrike was part of a broader Israeli military offensive that began on June 13, during which numerous Iranian military personnel, scientific experts, and senior figures were killed. According to figures released by Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, over 1,060 Iranian citizens lost their lives during the aggression, many of them non-combatants.

Iran responded swiftly and decisively, launching a coordinated counterattack involving drones and ballistic missiles targeting Israeli military and intelligence sites. These strikes were described by Tehran as “measured acts of deterrence” and not intended for escalation. Israeli sources confirmed that 28 individuals were killed in retaliatory strikes.

A fragile ceasefire was later brokered through international channels, reportedly under U.S. mediation, though Iran has made it clear that it considers the ceasefire temporary and conditional on future Israeli behavior.

International observers note that the attack on Iran’s leadership represents a dangerous escalation and an unprecedented act of aggression. While Western media and governments have remained largely silent or dismissive, independent analysts warn that this could have led to full-scale war had the assassination attempt succeeded.

Meanwhile, Iran’s allies, including China and Russia, have expressed concern over the blatant violation of international norms and Iran’s sovereignty. Both Moscow and Beijing have urged restraint while reaffirming their commitment to multilateral dialogue and regional stability.

As Iran continues its investigations, questions remain about the depth of Israeli infiltration and the degree of foreign support for such covert operations. While Washington officially distanced itself from the assassination attempt, Iranian officials remain skeptical, citing the long-standing alliance between the U.S. and Israel and their shared hostility toward the Islamic Republic.

For now, President Pezeshkian has resumed his duties and continues to emphasize resilience, unity, and strategic patience in the face of growing threats. Iranian leadership has vowed that such attempts to fracture the nation’s institutions will only serve to strengthen the resolve of the Iranian people and their allies.