Ali Shamkhani, a senior advisor to Khamenei, during a speech in Tehran, on September26, 2018. (Credir: Atta Kenare/AFP.)
BEIRUT — Ali Shamkhani, a high-ranking adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, recounted on Iranian television Sunday how he survived an Israeli strike that targeted his residence on June 13, at the start of the war between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Initially reported dead by the Israeli state, Shamkhani made his first public appearance Saturday at the funerals of conflict victims, according to Iranian news site Press TV. He later provided details of the strike that targeted him in a televised interview Sunday, stating that he was trapped under the rubble for three hours before being rescued.
“At first, I thought it was an earthquake. I was trapped under the rubble for three hours until I heard the sound of a car. At that moment, I understood that Israel had targeted me,” he stated. “I was alert from the first moment and tried to find an exit. I was not afraid,” Shamkhani emphasized.
The adviser also revealed that his wife and son were injured in the attack, adding that he was unable to speak clearly at that moment due to the pressure from the strike and the shock of the situation. He acknowledged being injured, but the Israelis had falsely claimed that his legs had been amputated. Shamkhani also indicated that he knew why the Israelis had targeted him but could not reveal it at this stage. “I had given them a tough lesson,” he stated.
Israel launched a war on June 13 with the stated goal of preventing Iran from acquiring the atomic bomb. The Islamic Republic denies having such ambitions but claims its right to civilian nuclear power. The United States bombed three nuclear sites in Iran on the night of June 21-22, joining the Israeli state’s offensive. After 12 days of reciprocal bombing, a cease-fire between Iran and Israel came into effect on June 24.
During this conflict, Israel killed key Iranian military officials and scientists linked to Tehran’s nuclear program.
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