Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a strong message on social media, declaring that those who understand Iran’s history know that "the Iranian nation is not one that surrenders."
The statement comes as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Iran did not start the war, saying, "It was Israel that initiated this conflict."
Araghchi praised the Iranian armed forces for their determined response, stating, "Our brave forces have continued to punish the Zionist state until the very last moment." He added that Iranian forces responded to every attack by the enemy with full strength and will continue to defend their homeland until the last drop of blood.
The Iranian leadership expressed deep gratitude to the country's armed forces for their sacrifices in defending the nation and standing resolute against all external aggression.
Gratitude to Iran's powerful armed forces
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a social media post early Tuesday, expressed his gratitude to the country’s “powerful” armed forces on behalf of all Iranians.
He said the military operations to “punish” the Zionist regime for its aggression against the Islamic Republic continued “until the very last minute,” concluding at 4 a.m. local Iran time.
“Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute,” read the statement.
Immediately after his tweet and before the ceasefire came into effect, Iranian armed forces launched a final salvo of missiles at the occupied territories, which made direct impacts.
Videos shared online showed air raid sirens blaring in Tel Aviv, Haifa and other cities and panic-stricken settlers rushing toward underground shelters.
Araghchi's remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump made an announcement on his social media platform, claiming that a ceasefire had been reached between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Israeli regime.
Trump claimed that Iran and the Israeli regime have agreed to a “complete and total” ceasefire, ending the 12-day war that was launched by the Israeli regime on June 13 with an unprovoked and unlawful aggression.
Iran FM thanked Iranian Armed Forces who have been ready to fight the Zionism regime until their last drop of blood, adding they continued to fight until the very last minute, at 4 am.
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) June 24, 2025
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