Iran’s President Warns "Our Nuclear Power Lives in Our Scientists—Tehran Ready to Strike Israel Again”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a stark warning to Israel, declaring Iran’s readiness to launch fresh ballistic missile attacks in response to any further aggression, while refuting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that Iran’s nuclear program was obliterated. In an Al Jazeera interview, Pezeshkian asserted, “Our nuclear capabilities are with our scientists, not in facilities. Claiming our nuclear program was obliterated is an illusion.” He emphasized Iran’s preparedness, stating, “Tehran is ready for any action by Israel, which sought to change Iran but failed. Iranian forces are ready to strike again, but Tehran does not want war.”

The comments follow the intense Twelve-Day War from June 13-25, 2025, during which Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iran’s nuclear sites at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, killing 10 nuclear scientists and IRGC commanders, including Hossein Salami. The U.S. joined on June 22 with Operation Midnight Hammer, deploying seven B-2 stealth bombers to drop 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs on Natanz and Fordow, while a submarine fired 24 Tomahawk missiles at Isfahan. Iran retaliated with over 400 ballistic missiles, killing 30 Israelis and injuring 2,500, targeting Tel Aviv, Haifa, and military bases. Satellite imagery showed severe damage at Natanz, with a 5.5-meter crater, though Fordow’s underground structure sustained minimal harm, per IAEA reports.

Pezeshkian, who survived an alleged Israeli assassination attempt on June 15 during a Supreme National Security Council meeting in Tehran, recounted, “Israel tried to eliminate Iran through chaos, but completely failed,” noting six missiles targeted the building’s access points, cutting power to trap attendees. He reaffirmed Iran’s peaceful nuclear intentions, saying, “Trump says Iran should not have nuclear weapons and we accept this because we reject nuclear weapons. Any future negotiations must follow win-win logic, and we will not accept threats and dictates.” On July 2, Iran halted IAEA cooperation, requiring Supreme National Security Council approval for inspections. Social media on X reflected tensions, with one user stating, “Pezeshkian’s defiance risks escalation, Israel won’t back down.” With 60% of Iran’s centrifuge capacity destroyed, per Israeli estimates, Pezeshkian vowed to rebuild, escalating regional concerns.