Skip to main content

Operation 'Rising Lion'

Report: Iranian President Pezeshkian Injured in Israeli Strike

According to Iranian sources, President Masoud Pezeshkian sustained a minor leg injury during a June 16 Israeli airstrike targeting Iran’s National Security Council headquarters in Tehran.

2 min read
Twitter icon for author's Twitter profileTwitter
President-elect Pezeshkian.
Photo: Mehr News Agency, CC by 4.0.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was reportedly lightly wounded in the leg during an Israeli strike carried out as part of Operation "Rising Lion," according to a report published Monday by Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The strike allegedly took place on June 16 — four days into the Israeli military campaign — and targeted the Supreme National Security Council headquarters in Tehran.

During the operation, Israel focused its attacks on military targets across Iran, aiming particularly at senior IRGC and army personnel. In a post-operation interview with Israel’s Channel 13, Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was also on Israel’s radar, but claimed that "no operational opportunity presented itself."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump
Photo: Avi Ohayon/ Government Press Office

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. President Donald Trump in a private conversation that Israel would strike Iran again if Tehran resumes its nuclear weapons program. Trump reportedly responded that he prefers a diplomatic approach but did not express any explicit opposition.

The conversation took place shortly after a formal dinner hosted at the White House, during which Trump stated: “I hope the U.S. won’t have to bomb Iran again. I can’t imagine wanting such a scenario.”

Following the dinner, Netanyahu reportedly told Trump: “If Iran restarts its nuclear program, Israel will act.” Trump replied that diplomacy was his preferred path, but he did not rule out military action.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed ambassadors and foreign mission chiefs, admitting that some nuclear facilities were damaged during the Israeli campaign. However, he insisted that Iran’s nuclear ambitions would not be halted by force:

“We are ready to return to the negotiating table — but we will never give up uranium enrichment,” Araghchi declared.


Loading comments...