He made the remarks on Thursday on the occasion of World Post Day, stressing that the unity and friendship of the Iranian people strengthened the pillars of the Islamic system in the recent war of aggression imposed by the Zionist regime and the United States.
Aref stressed that the invaders thought they could dismantle the Islamic Republic within three or four days, but their plan failed.
He recalled a meeting with the UN Secretary-General in which António Guterres acknowledged that the 12-day conflict had “closed the record” on attempts to overthrow the Iranian government.
The vice president pointed out that Iran’s adversaries have been trying to weaken the Islamic Republic since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, but any hostilities will only strengthen the nation’s unity and resilience.
Aref added that Iran is stronger and more united today than it was before the 12-day defense.
“We’re not worried about confrontation, but we’re not looking for confrontation either,” he said, stressing the need to remain calm as Iranians continue to endure unjust sanctions from the United States.
“We are not a warmongering nation and we have never started a war, but now our enemies know that if they attack, they will become a nation begging for a ceasefire,” the vice president said.
On June 13, the Zionist regime launched an unprovoked war of aggression against Iran, targeting military, nuclear, and residential areas for 12 consecutive days. Then, on June 22, the United States attacked three Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, escalating the conflict.
The Iranian military responded immediately and forcefully. IRGC Aerospace Forces conducted 22 waves of retaliatory missile attacks under Operation True Promise III, inflicting significant damage and heavy losses on cities across the occupied territories.
In retaliation for the US attack, Iranian forces also targeted Qatar’s al-Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in West Asia, with a barrage of missiles.
The conflict ended on June 24, and a ceasefire was enforced.
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