In a recent interview, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian disclosed alarming details regarding an alleged assassination attempt against him orchestrated by Israel during a recent conflict. The interview was released shortly after Israel’s significant and contentious military campaign against Iran, which spanned 12 days and resulted in numerous casualties.
Pezeshkian stated that the Israeli assault, characterized by a series of bombings on June 13, targeted military leaders and nuclear scientists and coincided with a critical juncture for international negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. These bombings came just two days prior to anticipated discussions between Tehran and Washington, which were set to explore possible agreements regarding Iran’s nuclear activities.
Responding to a query from US media figure Tucker Carlson, Pezeshkian confirmed that Israel had indeed attempted to assassinate him. “They acted accordingly, but they failed,” he asserted, clarifying that he believed the attempt was distinctly Israeli rather than a US action. He recounted that during a meeting, the Israeli forces tried to bombard the location where he was situated, indicating the seriousness of the alleged attack.
The conflict resulted in significant human toll, with reports from Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs indicating that over 1,060 individuals lost their lives during the hostilities. Israeli casualties reportedly included 28 people, who fell victim to Iranian retaliatory drone and missile strikes.
The confrontation involved Israel, with US backing, executing strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities located in Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz. A ceasefire was eventually negotiated and took effect on June 24. In a parallel commentary during the interview, Pezeshkian highlighted statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who did not dismiss the possibility of targeting Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This raised the stakes further amidst allegations of an Israeli plot to assassinate Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, which Iranian officials claimed to have thwarted.
Pezeshkian criticized Netanyahu’s approach, suggesting that the Israeli leader pursued a personal agenda that perpetuated ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. He urged the United States to exercise caution and avoid getting embroiled in what he termed “Netanyahu’s war.” The Iranian president expressed a willingness to reengage in nuclear talks, provided that trust could be rebuilt between the involved parties. He underscored the uncertainty surrounding US commitments in negotiations and the concern over potential Israeli attacks during such discussions.
The Iranian leader also addressed the economic implications of lifted sanctions, suggesting that there were ample opportunities for US investments in Iran. He stated, “There is no limitation and nothing preventing the US investors to come to Iran and to make investments in Iran.”
Furthermore, Pezeshkian articulated a stark choice for the US moving forward: either pursue peace or risk falling into a state of perpetual conflict. Emphasizing the influence of US leadership, he conveyed that President Trump had the capacity to steer the region towards a more peaceful future or, conversely, to become ensnared in a conflict aligned with Israeli interests.
