Pezeshkian says 12-day war 'symbol of national solidarity'
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the 12-day war with Israel last year had become a “symbol of national solidarity”, praising what he described as the unity and resilience of the Iranian people.
In a message marking the first anniversary of the conflict, carried by the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency, Pezeshkian paid tribute to those killed and said Israel had miscalculated by believing attacks on senior military figures and strategic facilities would weaken the country.
Pezeshkian said the “resistance” of the Iranian people, together with the leadership of the late Ali Khamenei and the readiness of Iran’s armed forces, prevented Israel from achieving its objectives and ultimately forced it to accept a ceasefire.
The conflict began on 13 June 2025 with Israeli strikes on Iran and ended on 24 June after nearly two weeks of fighting that also saw US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, Natanz Nuclear Facility and Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre.
Satellite image shows airstrike craters at Iran’s Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant near Qom, 24 June 2025 (Maxar Technologies/AFP)