Israeli Strike Targets Iranian National Security Council Meeting, Injuring President Pezeshkian

Kokcha News Agency: According to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, Israel launched an attack on the building where Iran’s Supreme National Security Council was holding a meeting, lightly injuring President Masoud Pezeshkian and other high-ranking officials. The attack occurred in the early hours of June 16 in a building in western Tehran, where senior officials, including Pezeshkian, were discussing national security matters.

The strike reportedly targeted the building’s entrances and exits with six bombs or missiles, aiming to block escape routes and cut off air supply. The attack was said to be similar to the one that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut in September 2024.

Following the explosions, electricity in the meeting room was cut off, but officials managed to escape through a pre-planned emergency exit. During the evacuation, President Pezeshkian and several other officials sustained minor leg injuries.

The detailed and accurate information the attackers had about the target has raised suspicions of an insider leak, prompting Iranian security forces to launch an investigation.

Background on the 12-Day War
The attack comes amid a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, which began on June 13 when Israel launched strikes on nuclear and military facilities, as well as civilian areas in various Iranian cities. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 1,100 people, including 126 women and 41 children, and injured over 5,000.

In response, Iran launched counterattacks, killing 28 and injuring 1,272, according to Israeli reports. The U.S., which openly supported Israel, targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan on June 22. Iran retaliated by launching a missile strike on the U.S. Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar on June 23.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel on June 24 and expressed a desire to resume nuclear negotiations with Tehran, aiming for an agreement to halt uranium enrichment activities entirely.