TEHRAN — A day after a cease-fire with the United States went into effect, Iranian leaders on Wednesday declared a historic victory born of the sacrifices and resilience of its people, despite senior warnings that continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon would be seen as an attack on Iran itself and the cease-fire agreement could quickly crumble.
The war broke out on February 28 after a coordinated US-Israeli operation that included the assassination and martyrdom of Iranian leader Seyed Ali Khamenei and several top commanders. In more than a month of fighting, Iran has absorbed heavy losses in civilian areas, inflicted significant damage on enemy positions and fundamentally reshaped the region’s strategic balance, Iranian officials said.
“The fruit of the blood of our martyred leader”
President Masoud Pezeshkian described the ceasefire as “a fruit of unity and sacrifice” and said it reflected both the will of the Iranian people and the enduring legacy of its martyred leader.
“The ceasefire is the fruit of the blood of our martyred leaders and the fruit of the presence of all our people who were present,” Pezeshkian said, adding that the unity of the people in diplomatic, military and social terms was a decisive factor in ending the war. “From today onwards, we will continue to stand together. Our unity is the victory.”
Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said the past 40 days were a defining chapter in Iran’s modern history. He confirmed that Iran will participate in the upcoming negotiations in Islamabad, but stressed that Tehran will approach the negotiations with “absolute pessimism” about US intentions.
“The enemy believed that by eliminating the great leader they could put an end to this path,” Aref said. “But the Iranian people have shown that this path is rooted in faith, unity and resistance. The enemy’s calculations have been shattered.”
Washington’s ‘Clear Strategic Defeat’
Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to the leader, described Washington’s acceptance of the ceasefire as a “clear strategic defeat.” He stressed that Iranian forces remained on full alert and warned that violations of the ceasefire would be met with “firm deterrence.”
Velayati framed this outcome within the framework of broader global changes, arguing that in an emerging multipolar world, Iran is no longer just a state, but an “axis of power” shaping new geopolitical realities.
“Finger on the trigger.”
“After three withdrawals, the bullish US President Trump is finally forced to accept Iran’s 10-point plan as the basis for negotiations,” Mohsen Rezaei, a member of the Iran Expediency Identification Council, said in a post on X on Wednesday. He praised the resistance of the Iranian people, the bravery of the army and the leadership of new leader Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei.
“Nevertheless, the military is pulling the trigger to ensure that the country’s interests are fully secured,” Rezaei added.
“True victory lies in vigilance”
The theme of continuous preparation was echoed by Mohammad Mokba, Senior Advisor to the Leader. In his remarks, he said true victory lies in vigilance. He cited several factors, including the wisdom and guidance of the leadership, the sacrifice and courage of the military, and the dignity of the Iranian people, and said these factors put “global arrogance” in such a situation.
Foreign Minister Mokbert affirmed the soundness of the Islamic Republic’s strategy and emphasized the continued presence of the people and the active engagement of the military under the command of the Supreme Commander. He concluded that the key to true victory was vigilance.
Israel’s attack on Lebanon: “Attack on Iran”
Even though the ceasefire with Washington was maintained, new flashpoints arose. Alaeddin Boljerdi, a member of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, declared that Israel’s continued attack on Lebanon despite the ceasefire agreement is a clear violation of its commitments and should be seen as an attack on Iran itself.
In an interview with Mehr news agency, Boljerdi pointed out that the 10-point ceasefire document clearly states that no country in the Axis of Resistance should be targeted. “The Zionist regime’s recent actions in attacking Lebanon demonstrate a complete disregard for its obligations and ceasefire rules,” he said.
He called for a firm response, saying that Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security must take the necessary decisions. “Every action, political, propaganda and even military, should be taken to defend the resistance and support Hezbollah in Lebanon,” he stressed.
Boljerdi added that other Axis of Resistance countries, including Yemen and Iraq, should also take steps to protect the Lebanese people. He cited recent attacks on various parts of Lebanon, including infrastructure and the capital, and said the Lebanese army must act to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Regarding the assassination attempt on Lebanese parliament speaker Navi Berri, Borjerdi said: “These actions show that the Zionist regime does not recognize boundaries and lines that should not be crossed. Such actions above all reflect the regime’s defeat in the court of public opinion, both within the occupied territories and even among political parties in Israel.”
As the dust of war begins to settle, the prevailing view within Iran is one of defiant solidarity. But the ceasefire remains dangerously fragile and the region is watching closely as Israel continues to attack Lebanon, with Tehran vowing to treat it as an attack on mainland Iran.
Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed that the ceasefire does not mark an end to the conflict, but rather a shift in the battlefield from military engagement to diplomatic struggle. Future negotiations, mediated by Pakistan and scheduled for Islamabad, are expected to focus on Iran’s proposed framework, including sanctions relief, regional security agreements and non-aggression guarantees.