Ali Shamkhani: Iranian negotiator thought killed by Israel is alive, says state media

Defence affairs - alex macdonald

A senior Iranian negotiator who was suspected killed in an Israeli air strike in Tehran last week is alive, according to state media.

Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to Iran's supreme leader and representative at talks with the United States, was thought among the senior Iranian officials reportedly killed by Israeli attacks in the early hours of 13 June.

However, on Friday, state media in Iran carried a letter from Shamkhani addressed to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in which he stated he was, in fact, alive.

"I am alive and ready to sacrifice myself," read the letter, which was reported by several Iranian outlets, including state-owned broadcaster IRIB and Tasnim, which is linked to the Revolutionary Guard.

"Victory is near. The name of Iran will be immortalised in the highest history as usual," the purported letter said.