Kamal Kharazi, the current head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations and a former foreign minister, was seriously wounded on Thursday in an attack targeting his home in Tehran. Local media reports indicate that Kharazi’s wife was killed in the strike, which occurred as the 81-year-old diplomat was reportedly facilitating sensitive international communications.
Kharazi was rushed to a nearby hospital where he is currently receiving treatment for grave injuries. The veteran statesman served as Iran’s foreign minister from 1997 to 2005 and has long been regarded as a central figure in the country’s diplomatic infrastructure and a close advisor to the leadership.
The incident took place amid reports that Kharazi was overseeing back-channel efforts to organize potential discussions between Iranian authorities and U.S. Vice President JD Vance. These negotiations were reportedly being mediated through Pakistan as part of a broader attempt to de-escalate ongoing regional tensions during the current administration of President Donald Trump.
Security forces in Tehran have cordoned off the area around the residence as investigators assess the damage and origin of the strike. While no group has officially claimed responsibility for the assault, the event follows a series of high-profile operations targeting senior Iranian figures within the capital.
Analytic response to the news has focused on the potential collapse of the Pakistan-led mediation track. Kharazi’s role was viewed by many as a vital link for diplomatic institutional memory and a primary conduit for non-military dialogue with the West.
The White House has not yet released a statement regarding the strike or the status of the reported outreach involving Vice President Vance. The attack marks a significant escalation in the scope of targeted operations inside Iran, hitting the heart of the country's diplomatic circle.
As of Thursday evening, Kharazi remains in critical condition, and the future of the back-channel negotiations remains uncertain. Observers are closely watching for official reactions from Tehran and the international community as the situation develops.