Tehran: Alireza Zakani, the mayor of Tehran, stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, and the Iranian people take pride in the martyrs of the U.S.-Israeli aggression against Iran, as the Iranians succeeded in standing up to the strongest military actors in the world and emerged victorious.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Zakani spoke at a ceremony commemorating child and teenage victims of the 12-day war imposed by the Israeli regime in Tehran on Friday night. He noted that the enemies planned to dismember Iran and topple the Islamic Republic, but they failed to achieve their goals.

The Iranian nation, with all its diversities, stood together and demonstrated unity, independence, and resilience to the world. This unity led not only to the defeat of the enemies but also to a shift in regional and international equations, the mayor said.

Zakani described this war as the second sacred defense, referencing the first Sacred Defense during the Iraqi Ba’ath regime-imposed war on Iran from 1980 to 1988.

The official reported that 1,068 Iranians lost their lives in the 12-day war, with over half of them killed in Israeli attacks on Tehran. Furthermore, 8,500 residential units require rebuilding in the capital city.

He emphasized the importance of preserving the message of those who lost their lives during the aggression, stating that commemorating their sacrifices should not be limited to merely a ceremony. Instead, it should involve efforts to preserve the culture of sacrifice, resistance, and raising awareness for future generations.