Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh said on Monday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is the only country that has taken a firm and overwhelming response against the Israeli regime. He made the remarks at a ceremony held at Malek Ashtar University of Technology to commemorate Students’ Day.
According to Mehr News Agency, at the beginning of his speech, Mr. Nasirzadeh mentioned the historical significance of December 7 (Azhar 16) and its connection to the Iranian state’s struggle against the United States. He said Student Day is essentially a day to confront global arrogance, adding that the most obvious example of this today is the United States.
Reflecting on the post-World War II developments and the rise of US power, the minister said the US used its influence in world affairs, geographical location and international organizations to establish a hegemonic structure. He added that the United States later declared that it must expand its naval power and have a presence in all oceans. He said this reflected the nature of global arrogance.
Pointing to recent examples of US intervention, Nasirzadeh said that wherever the US has intervened, from regional countries to Ukraine, the results have been pressure, war, and misinterpretation of public opinion. He further said that in the region, the Israeli regime serves as an instrument of US policy, a base established by the US government to advance its hegemonic goals.
Elsewhere in his speech, the Defense Minister emphasized the Islamic Republic of Iran’s defense capabilities. He said Iran was the only country that had taken a firm response against the Israeli regime. He added that once Israel takes control of an area, it is a regime that will not withdraw or accept a cease-fire unless forced to do so. Nasirzadeh said the Islamic Republic of Iran’s military, defense and scientific capabilities inflicted severe damage on Israel during the 12-day war, and the regime called for a ceasefire. This reflects Iran’s capabilities and power, he said.
Nasirzadeh also referred to Iran’s long civilization and stressed that Iran has never accepted domination. He said that while the United States is inherently hegemonic, the Islamic Republic of Iran is inherently independence-seeking. These two identities are fundamentally incompatible, he emphasized. He said surrender is in no way consistent with the identity of the Islamic Republic, Iran’s history and the character of the Iranian people.
The 12-day war between Iran and Israel broke out on June 13, 2025, after an Israeli airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear facilities killed several senior nuclear scientists and military personnel.
More than a week later, the United States also entered the war by bombing three Iranian nuclear facilities, in serious violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Iranian forces responded by attacking strategic locations throughout the occupied territories and the largest US military installation in West Asia, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
On June 24, Iran announced that its illegal attacks had ceased due to retaliatory operations against Israel and the United States.
MNA/6681353