Amid rising tensions with Israel, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a national address on Wednesday night, calling for unity, patience, and collective effort from the nation. “We will overcome these difficult days,” the president said in a message shared via social media.
President Pezeshkian urged all government bodies to act decisively in the country’s interest, instructing ministries and agencies to mobilize their full capacity. “All institutions have been directed to use their maximum strength and resources to serve Iran. We need your patience and support—do not turn away from any responsibility,” he said.
He further added, “With the grace of God, and through compassion and solidarity, we will move past this difficult time.”
Tensions escalated after Israel launched an airstrike on a nuclear facility near Natanz, close to Ahmadabad. The Israeli military confirmed on Wednesday night that its air force struck the Shahid Ahmadi Roshan nuclear complex, claiming it was being used in Iran’s nuclear weapons development program.
According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the targeted site contained advanced components and equipment related to uranium enrichment and nuclear arms manufacturing. Israel alleged that the project posed a significant threat and could rapidly accelerate Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Natanz has long been a focal point in Iran’s nuclear program. The heavily fortified facility, discovered in 2002, previously came under attack in April 2021. The latest strike follows an earlier Israeli offensive on 14 June that reportedly killed several top Iranian military officers.
In retaliation, Iran launched missile attacks on multiple Israeli cities, including Holon, Tel Aviv, and Ramat Gan. Iranian state media reported the strikes as part of the “14th powerful coordinated offensive” by Iran’s armed forces targeting key Israeli infrastructure.
Israeli media confirmed that three civilians were critically injured in Holon. Ramat Gan saw at least 20 people sustain minor injuries, while parts of Tel Aviv also came under attack. Emergency response teams reported a total of 65 injuries across all affected areas.
The IRGC, in a brief statement, described the strikes as strategically significant but did not provide further operational details.
As regional hostilities deepen, diplomatic channels remain largely silent, raising concerns of further escalation in the coming days.
