Araghchi recounts final hours of Khamenei during February strike
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has provided his first public account of the events surrounding the February 28, 2026 strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing how he was present at the compound when the attack occurred.
Speaking in a June interview with Al Mayadeen, Araghchi said he arrived at Khamenei’s office on the morning of the attack to brief the leader on the outcome of diplomatic talks in Geneva and the growing likelihood of military confrontation.
According to Araghchi, shortly after the meeting began, the compound came under attack. He said the strike caused extensive destruction across the facility, leaving him trapped beneath rubble while parts of the section where he and Khamenei were located remained partially intact.
Araghchi recalled that after escaping the debris, his immediate concern was the fate of the Supreme Leader.
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He further claimed that Khamenei had been aware of the possibility of an imminent strike but chose not to relocate to underground shelters, instead remaining at his desk and continuing his work until the attack took place.
The account has become a central part of Iran’s narrative surrounding Khamenei’s final hours, portraying the late leader’s actions as a symbol of defiance during a period of escalating regional tensions.
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The strike was followed by heightened military mobilization and political uncertainty across the Middle East. Iranian authorities subsequently moved to ensure continuity of leadership, with Mojtaba Khamenei assuming the position of Supreme Leader.
Araghchi said he spent the following weeks focused entirely on managing the crisis and representing Iran diplomatically during one of the most consequential periods in the country’s recent history.
His remarks offer a rare insider account of the events surrounding the strike and the challenges faced by Iran’s leadership in its aftermath.
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