Hatami’s statements came during his meeting with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps leadership on the occasion of the “Sacred Defense” week. He emphasized that “since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the Iranian people have embraced the slogan ‘Independence, Freedom, and the Islamic Republic’ as a strategic approach, which has agitated the enemies who have sought from the start to force them to retreat from their rightful demands.” He added, “Despite the sacrifices and the offering of thousands of martyrs, the Iranian people have remained steadfast and will continue their path with unwavering resolve,” according to the Iranian Tasnim news agency.
Hatami pointed out that “the strategic unity between the army and the Revolutionary Guard forms the cornerstone of national security and acts as a steel shield protecting the country from enemy conspiracies,” asserting that “past experiences, whether in the imposed war (1980–1988) or the recent war lasting 12 days, have proven that Iran will not compromise on its national interests, and its armed forces will continue the path of the martyrs with strength and determination.”
Meanwhile, the general commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Major General Mohammad Pakpour, recalled the recent war experience with Israel in June and noted the “atmosphere of unity and popular mobilization that brought to mind the days of the Sacred Defense.” He confirmed that “the level of national cohesion in the recent war was similar.”
Pakpour concluded by saying, “The credit for this resilience goes to the unity of the armed forces and their alignment with the people, and we must remain loyal to this people who created a unique national epic.”
On June 13, Israel launched surprise airstrikes in an operation called “Ascending Lion,” targeting military sites and nuclear facilities in Iran, most notably the main uranium enrichment facility in Natanz. The Israeli strikes resulted in the deaths of several prominent nuclear scientists and military leaders, including the IRGC Commander Hossein Salami, Army Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, and the IRGC Aerospace commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
In response, Iran launched missile strikes against Israel in a military operation called “True Promise 3,” targeting dozens of military sites and airbases in Israel, asserting that the operation would continue as long as necessary.
Additionally, the United States launched an attack on three Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan on the night of June 22. According to Washington, “the attack aimed to destroy or seriously weaken Iran’s nuclear program.” Days later, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a response to the United States by striking the American base “Al-Udeid” in Qatar.
