Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused Israel of attempting to assassinate him during a recent 12-day conflict, escalating tensions in the region. In an interview with a U.S. media outlet, Pezeshkian claimed Israel targeted a meeting he was attending, though the attempt was unsuccessful.
The accusation follows Israel’s June 13 bombing campaign against Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, which killed senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. The strikes, which stalled U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, resulted in over 900 deaths in Iran, according to the judiciary, and prompted retaliatory drone and missile attacks that killed 28 people in Israel. A ceasefire has been in place since June 24.
Pezeshkian alleged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pursuing a strategy of “forever wars” in the Middle East and urged the U.S. to avoid involvement in what he described as “Netanyahu’s war.” He expressed openness to resuming nuclear negotiations, provided trust can be restored, and invited U.S. investments in Iran if sanctions are lifted. “The U.S. can guide the region toward peace or be dragged into an endless conflict,” he warned, emphasizing the need for stability.
The Iranian president also referenced a foiled Israeli plot to assassinate Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during the conflict. Meanwhile, reports surfaced that Netanyahu considered targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to “end the conflict,” a move allegedly vetoed by U.S. authorities.
