How Iran’s President Survived the Security Council Attack
WANA (Aug 15) – Mohsen Haji Mirzaei, Chief of Staff to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, has provided details about the day of the bombing that struck a Supreme National Security Council session and the moments immediately following the attack.
Haji Mirzaei said that during the meeting, there was no escape route available. “The only way out was created when the missiles caused cracks in the concrete, which allowed people to leave,” he explained.
Recalling his own experience, he said: “I was in another meeting when security forces suddenly entered the building in a state of urgency. One of them said that the President’s location had been targeted. I rushed out and saw Dr. Pezeshkian, slightly injured but able to walk on his own. Thankfully, he was in good health.”
He added that Amir Mousavi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, who was also present, was covered in dust with torn clothes, and Mr. Momeni, Minister of Interior of Iran, who had accompanied them, suffered breathing problems due to inhaling dust in the area. A medical team assisted him on-site.
According to Haji Mirzaei, doctors drained part of the swelling and blood from Pezeshkian the following day. He emphasized that, contrary to some claims, no pre-existing escape route had been built; the only opening came from the blast-damaged concrete, which had to be manually widened for people to exit.
“After the incident, President Pezeshkian, despite his condition, went to meet with the Supreme Leader,” he said.
On the morning of Monday, June 16, Israeli fighter jets bombed the secure, undisclosed location in western Tehran where an extraordinary session of the Supreme National Security Council was being held. The meeting included the heads of Iran’s three branches of government and other senior officials.
Smoke rises following what Iran says was an Israeli attack on Tehran, Iran, June 16, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
