Iranian Foreign Minister Details Escape from Attack on Khamenei

In a recent interview, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi disclosed new details regarding the initial hours of the US-Israeli attack aimed at senior Iranian officials, explaining how he survived and highlighting a critical security vulnerability during the assault.

Araghchi recounted to Iranian journalist Javad Maghavi that on the morning of the first day of the conflict, he was inside the complex of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He was reviewing a report on nuclear negotiations with Ali Asghar Hejazi, the Supreme Leader’s office director, when explosions abruptly interrupted their meeting.

He described that the third explosion struck the building directly, causing large sections to collapse. The roof and walls fell on those present, who managed to escape through the rubble, while water leaked from the ceiling amid cries for help.

Araghchi confirmed that Hejazi survived the blast, but his secretary was killed instantly. Protective personnel quickly transferred Araghchi to the Foreign Ministry in a small civilian car after his official vehicle was hit by the attack.

He explained that Iranian officials remained isolated from one another for three days, attempting to determine who survived and who was killed. He added that Israel had expected that targeting the leadership would paralyze state institutions, but this did not occur.

The Iranian minister stated that Israel possessed precise intelligence about the locations and movements of senior officials’ meetings, identifying this as an ongoing security gap that requires resolution.

He noted that investigations are not limited to potential human breaches or data theft but also examine the impact of these vulnerabilities on decision-making processes and the psychological environment within state institutions.

Iran had previously prepared emergency plans anticipating an attack on its leadership, including a scenario codenamed “Code 110,” linked to Article 110 of the Iranian constitution, which outlines the Supreme Leader’s powers and the procedures to follow in the event of his assassination, according to Araghchi.

Following the strikes, officials left their formal offices and relied on alternative locations, although there was no safe place at the time except for tunnels. These tunnels were unsuitable for rapid use as they required staying inside for several days. Araghchi revealed that he instructed his security personnel to keep their distance from him, fearing they could be killed without being able to protect him if he were targeted by a missile.