During a ceremony in the western city of Hamedan on Thursday, Araghchi said that Iran is now stronger than it was during the recent 12-day war in June.

He added, “The 12-day war taught us valuable lessons, including increased confidence in our domestic capabilities, which ultimately led to our victory. We are now continuing on our path, stronger than before.”

He also paid tribute to the nuclear scientists who were assassinated in their homes alongside their families, emphasizing, “We honor the memory of all of them.”

He described the 12-day war as a battle of technologies, noting, “This war was unique because we fought without sharing a border, which was only possible through technology. Their fighter jets were on one side, and our missiles were on the other. Our strength in the 12-day war was demonstrated through our defense and missile industries, and it was our missiles that allowed us to control the enemy’s airspace.”

“Despite the multiple layers of air defense that the Zionist enemy had, supported by the US and Europe, our missiles—developed and achieved through our own efforts—pierced those defenses and accurately struck their targets,” he emphasized.

The minister said, “For the first time, our missiles were used in a real war, revealing their weaknesses and strengths. We are in a better situation today than we were on June 13.”

Araghchi explained how, during the war, those who demanded “unconditional surrender” on the fourth day sent a message of “unconditional ceasefire” by the twelfth day, noting, “Of course, we defended ourselves courageously in this war and maintained that they must stop the aggression.”