Iranian President Slightly Injured While Fleeing Alleged Israeli Strike

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was slightly injured in the leg while escaping a security meeting, reportedly after an Israeli strike on June 16 during a 12-day military conflict between Iran and Israel.

The attack targeted a clandestine bunker in western Tehran where the Supreme National Security Council—comprising Iran’s top political and military officials—was convened. According to state media, six bombs or missiles struck near entry points and disrupted the ventilation, cutting power and blocking exits. Despite the surrounding damage, Pezeshkian and other attendees escaped through an emergency hatch before sustaining only minor injuries.

In a later interview, Pezeshkian described the event as an attempt to assassinate Iran’s leadership, while Israeli officials denied any intent to drop bombs on the bunker or to topple Tehran’s regime, maintaining their strikes were aimed at nuclear and military infrastructure.

The incident occurred amid heavy Israeli bombardment of Iranian targets, which included nuclear facilities and senior military commanders. The alleged assassination attempt prompted Tehran to arrest hundreds amid a crackdown on suspected spies, amid fears that the bunker’s location and meeting details had been leaked.

A statement from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council stressed that such actions will not go unanswered, signaling intentions of a response. The event underscores the dramatic escalation in hostilities and presents a serious challenge to current diplomatic efforts.

With input from Al Jazeera