Tehran: President Masoud Pezeshkian has praised the Iranian people for their resilience and steadfastness, calling them the real heroes, who he said stood firmly against every challenge over the past two years.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, in a message posted on his X account on Saturday, Pezeshkian outlined the hardships the Iranian people endured since he took office, saying 'wars, pressure, and relentless hostility' were inflicted upon the Iranian nation over the last two years.

Recalling the martyrdom of Hamas political bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh on July 31, 2024, after the presidential inauguration in Tehran, he said the beginning of his administration coincided with 'the assassination of our dear guest by the Zionist regime.'

Pezeshkian continued with his message, pondering upon challenges faced by the nation, saying 'throughout all these difficult days, the real heroes were the people and the Iranian people will shape the future of Iran.'

Two years ago, Pezeshkian took the oath of office, in the presence of high-level delegations from over 70 countries, but the same day Israel assassinated Haniyeh, who was a state guest. His presidency also came on the heel of a foreign-backed coup attempt, followed by two US-Israeli imposed wars on the country.