Advisor to Supreme Leader Details Harrowing Escape From Israeli Strike, Calls for Vigilance Against Threats
Admiral Ali Shamkhani, serving as a senior advisor to Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, has stressed the importance of maintaining continuous vigilance and preparedness to address potential adversarial threats. He also called for further enhancement of the country's military capabilities.
In a televised interview on Sunday, Ali Shamkhani, the previous high-ranking security official of the Islamic Republic of Iran, detailed a failed assassination attempt believed to be orchestrated by Israeli forces. Shamkhani, who sustained significant injuries during the incident on June 13, labeled the attack an act of terrorism by the occupying regime.
Shamkhani cautioned against placing trust in negotiations with the United States, asserting that Tehran had understood from the outset that the indirect discussions with Washington were not sincerely intended to reach a genuine agreement.
He further stated that the United States aimed to leverage the discussions to foster conditions favorable for internal unrest and destabilization within the nation. However, he noted that the Iranian populace remains astute and has thwarted such adversarial intentions.
Shamkhani characterized the public’s solidarity following recent developments as a demonstration of profound awareness rather than a mere emotional response. He stated, “This unity signifies an understanding of the adversary’s objectives and underscores Iran’s significance.”
Iran’s leadership has indicated full preparedness for any potential scenario, emphasizing that all operations have proceeded in alignment with pre-established directives.
He noted that this level of preparedness demonstrated the nation’s strong military and security stance against any potential escalation or infiltration.
**”I was unafraid,”**
In a separate part of his speech, Shamkhani disclosed a harrowing experience where he endured three hours beneath debris before being rescued, following an Israeli airstrike that struck his residence in Tehran earlier this month.
Initially, he believed an earthquake had struck, remaining under debris for three hours until the noise of a car reached his ears. It was then he realized that he had become a target of an Israeli operation, as an earthquake would have prevented vehicles from navigating the streets of Tehran.
A senior advisor disclosed that he stayed aware throughout the procedure and promptly started strategizing his survival.
He stated that he remained vigilant from the outset and began devising an escape plan. He emphasized that fear did not grip him, as previous threats had equipped him for such circumstances.
Shamkhani reported that both his wife and son sustained injuries in the assault. He noted that at the time, he struggled to articulate his thoughts clearly, attributing this to the effects of oxygen pressure and the shock from the incident.
He further admitted to sustaining internal injuries from the Israeli assault, yet refuted Israeli allegations of having his legs amputated, labeling them as false.
Shamkhani indicated that he understands the reasoning behind why the Israelis have targeted him, although he is unable to disclose these details at this time.
He stated, “I delivered a stern lesson to them.”
In his first public appearance following a failed assassination attempt, Shamkhani participated in Saturday’s funeral procession honoring 60 martyrs who perished during the 12-day conflict involving Israel and the United States against the Islamic Republic.
Reports from Israeli media alleged that Shamkhani was the target of a fatal Israeli assassination operation at the onset of hostilities with Iran.
