Iran's FM Recounts How He Survived the Airstrike That Killed the Supreme Leader
Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, recounted how he survived the airstrike that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In an interview with journalist Javad Mogouyi, Araghchi revealed that the joint US-Israel strike took place during a meeting of senior officials. He and Khamenei's deputy chief of staff, Ali Asghar Hijazi, managed to escape from the rubble of the destroyed building, although Hijazi's secretary was killed instantly.
Araghchi acknowledged a security gap, as Israel had accurate intelligence on the meeting location. He stressed that Iran had prepared contingency plans, including closing the Strait of Hormuz if the supreme leader was targeted. Araghchi also stated that the Iranian government would not change its policies even with a leadership transition.
Regarding nuclear negotiations with the US, Araghchi said that even though he doubted success, diplomacy was still necessary. Iran had offered a deal, but the mood in Washington suddenly turned aggressive. He warned that an attack on Iranian facilities would be met with strikes on Israeli facilities and US bases in the region.
Araghchi emphasized that Iran wouldn't go to war unless the cost of not doing so was higher. He also mentioned that Iran's resilience is supported by thousands of years of civilization and a belief in martyrdom, making the country not easily defeated.
https://www.gelora.co/2026/07/