WANA (Jul 30) – The spokesman of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that enemy operations in the realm of perception and psychological influence now constitute a major component of hybrid warfare, stressing that Iran’s current posture must adapt accordingly.

 

Brigadier General Ali-Mohammad Naeini, IRGC spokesman and deputy for public relations, said: “Today we are in a situation where the enemy’s perceptual and psychological operations form a serious part of hybrid war. In this battle, media outlets, writers, and cultural productions play a decisive role. It unfolds through diverse forms and platforms of media. In such a war, we need an offensive posture. Our current alignment is not yet proportionate to the perceptual war. The enemy suffered a complete defeat in the recent military confrontation, yet it continues the war through narrative-building. Today, it is ideas and perceptions that shape the foundations of human social life.”

 

He added: “Success belongs to those who best construct the image and present realities effectively. Shaping minds is the most important source of a society’s power. The destruction of a nation’s mental identity and collective self-image is the most dangerous threat it can face.”

 

According to Naeini, a significant portion of the recent 12-day conflict was fought in the media and psychological domains. “In this war, we achieved considerable success in media operations. If our media had not been effective, the enemy would not have targeted our national broadcasters and journalists. In the recent conflict, the enemy deliberately struck Iran’s centers of power: research facilities and scientists, military commanders and operational bases, intelligence and security centers — and the media, which was the hub of narrative-building.”

The latest mural at Vali-e-Asr Square in Tehran depicts the heroism of Iranian woman TV host, Sahar Emami, in response to the Zionist regime’s attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). June 17, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency

“The 12-Day Imposed War Was Iran Alone Against the Entire NATO”

He continued: “All wars begin with a pretext, but their real goals are different from what is announced. The hegemonic system cannot tolerate an independent and influential regional power. The Islamic Republic has changed both the equations of power and the nature of governance. They openly declared before the war that their goal was Iran’s submission. As the Leader stated: the problem America and the Zionist regime have with Iran is with a strong, powerful, and popular Iran.”

 

Naeini emphasized: “The Zionist regime began its military attack with the fabricated narrative of a ‘weak Iran.’ This 12-day imposed war by the Zionist regime and the U.S. was, in effect, Iran alone against the entire NATO.”

 

He asserted: “This conflict proved that the military option to change Iran’s behavior or force surrender is entirely ineffective — instead, it further unites the people. The war had many achievements: the myth of a weak Iran collapsed; global perceptions of Iran’s defensive power shifted; it became clear that attacking Iran is extremely costly; and it was revealed that the enemy does not understand the true components of Iran’s strength.”

Trace of an Irainan missile is seen in the sky in Tehran, Iran, June 18, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

“Iranian Missiles Made the Entire Occupied Territory Unsafe”

He noted that Iran responded firmly to the assassination of commanders: “Missile and drone strikes inflicted heavy damage on the regime. The enemy completely failed to achieve the objectives it had publicly announced. The myth of its invincible defense systems was shattered. Iranian missiles rendered the entire occupied territory unsafe. Through the innovative planning of the IRGC Aerospace Force for continuous missile waves, the enemy was constantly experiencing sirens, shelters, and panic. Ultimately, as their resilience collapsed and desperation grew, they requested an end to hostilities.”

 

The Hidden Dimensions of the 12-Day War

Naeini stressed that the conflict holds many hidden aspects that will gradually come to light, as the Leader has said.

 

“Even regarding the Sacred Defense, the Leader remarked that it would take 80 years for the treasures of its dimensions to be fully narrated. The narrative of a war becomes even more important after the war itself. Consolidating and affirming the victory narrative today is more crucial than during the war.”

 

He added a direct message to the U.S. and Israeli leaders: “It is clear to us that recent statements from Zionist officials are nothing more than the continuation of their fear over Iran’s national unity and missile power. Iran’s responses in the 12-day war disrupted life in the small occupied territory. The regime was gasping for breath.”

People attend the funeral procession of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 28, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

“If They Threaten Our Security Again, We Will Cut Off Their Breath”

Naeini continued: “We are well aware of the abnormal conditions, psychological pressures, and levels of resilience inside Israel. International observers, global public opinion, and even American allies described your defeat in this costly and fruitless war. The enemy must know that if they again dare to violate Iran’s security, we will cut off their breath in the occupied territories.”

 

Warning Against Renewed Aggression

He warned: “Trump still cannot justify to public opinion the costs of cooperating with Israel in attacking Iran. You would do better first to clear the rubble of Al-Udeid base and see what befell you, before resorting to bluster and threats. The Zionist regime, which out of sheer desperation sought multiple intermediaries to broker a ceasefire under Iran’s crushing missile strikes, now brazenly threatens new aggression. Let the regime know: if they start a new attack against a strong and popular Iran, it will be us who hold the initiative in deciding when the conflict ends.”

A view of Iranian newspapers, early hours of ceasefire, in Tehran, Iran, June 24, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Naeini concluded: “We will not allow the sirens in the occupied territories to fall silent. You will have little chance to leave the shelters. You will experience more panic and displacement than during the 12-day war. The Zionist leaders already witnessed Iran’s swift and surprising missile retaliation only hours after their assault, on the very first day of war. The enemy must understand: if aggression is repeated, the geography of our response and the battlefield may change, and the reactions will be even more crushing.”