Tehran: President Masoud Pezeshkian has hailed the national unity and public resilience shown during Israel’s recent military aggression against the country, saying the nation’s courage rendered the enemy’s conspiracies ineffective.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, President Pezeshkian, speaking at a ceremony honoring the staff of the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare for their efforts during the 12-day war, emphasized that although the country lost numerous invaluable lives in the conflict, the solidarity and cohesion that emerged among the people were even more precious.

He remarked that the Zionist regime believed it could destabilize the system by assassinating commanders of the armed forces who had dedicated their lives to Iran’s dignity. However, the wisdom of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, along with the immediate appointment of successors and the powerful response of the armed forces, thwarted their plot.

Israel launched an unprovoked attack on Iran on June 13, targeting military commanders and nuclear scientists in strikes and killing civilians in air raids on residential areas. This occurred amid ongoing talks between Tehran and Washington on Iran’s civilian nuclear program.

Pezeshkian highlighted the unprecedented bravery and resolve demonstrated by the Iranian people during this period. He noted that the enemy expected public dissatisfaction and unrest to follow its strikes, hoping for the collapse of the Islamic Republic. Instead, the people stood firm and defeated these plots.

The president underscored the importance of the unity forged during the war, stating that it extended even to those previously alienated from the system, such as former detainees or individuals who had left the country out of dissatisfaction. He noted that even they rose to defend the country.

Describing this national cohesion as an invaluable asset, Pezeshkian expressed regret that a small minority chose the ‘disgrace of betrayal’ by supporting ‘a savage, criminal, genocidal regime.’ He concluded by acknowledging the loss of dear lives but emphasized that the unity and empathy gained are priceless.