WANA (Jun 13) – Following a series of Israeli regime attacks targeting multiple locations across Iran — including the Shahid Ahmadi Roshan Nuclear Enrichment Complex in Natanz — and the assassination of several senior Iranian military and scientific figures in the early hours of Friday, thousands of Iranians took to the streets in various cities to condemn the aggression and demand retaliation.

 

The attack, which reportedly struck several non-military and residential buildings, also claimed the lives of civilians, including women and children. Iranian nuclear scientist Fereydoon Abbasi, Dr. Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi were also killed.

 

Among the high-ranking officials killed in the Israeli strikes were Major General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces; General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force; and Major General Gholam-Ali Rashid, Commander of Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters.

 

As part of our coverage, WANA gathered public reactions to the developments on the ground.

 

With Friday prayers drawing large crowds in Tehran, many citizens gathered both before and after the ritual to voice their outrage. Chants of “Death to America and Israel” echoed through the streets, with demonstrators urging the Iranian government to deliver a swift and decisive response.

Ms. Sadeghi, a retired Iranian teacher. WANA News Agency

Ms. Sadeghi, a retired Iranian teacher attending the gathering, stated: “Well, Israel itself started this war. Now that it has started, it must know that the end is with us.”

 

She added: “We came to the negotiating table with the hope that there will be peace, to show our honesty — that we are seekers of peace, we do not like war.”

 

Another participant, Maryam Babaeipour, a young woman, emphasized:”We demand harsh revenge, crushing revenge, from the officials, from those who are truly responsible in this field. God willing, I want them to give a firm and crushing response to the initiators of this incident.”

Maryam Babaeipour. WANA News Agency

Regarding the future of Iran–U.S. diplomacy, she stated: “In my opinion, continuing the negotiations is completely useless when our enemy’s logic is like this. The logic of our enemy is war and missiles. A hundred percent, in my opinion, negotiations are useless.”

 

Mr. Afshar, a middle-aged man present at the demonstration, voiced similar sentiments: “We ask the honorable officials to set aside considerations of expediency. The era of hit-and-run is over. We must settle our account with this occupying regime, with this child-killing regime once and for all.”

 

He continued: “Negotiations not only won’t solve any problems but will add to them. This (Israeli attack) was one such example. The result of this problem—negotiations—the result became clear today.”

Mr. Afshar. WANA News Agency

Official Reactions

In response to the attack, the Supreme Leader of Iran issued a statement addressed to the nation, declaring: “The regime must await a harsh punishment. By God’s will, the powerful hand of the Islamic Republic’s armed forces will not let it go unpunished.”

 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed this sentiment, affirming that both the Iranian people and their officials would not remain silent in the face of such a crime. “The Islamic Republic’s legitimate and powerful response will make the enemy regret its foolish action,” he said.

 

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, also addressed the nation, vowing: “We will exact our revenge at any place, any time, and with any means. The aggressive enemy will be put back in its place.”

 

In a formal letter to the United Nations, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned Israel’s actions, writing:

 

“Israel, the world’s most terrorist regime, has now crossed all red lines, and the international community must not allow these crimes to go unpunished. The Security Council and the Secretary-General must unequivocally condemn and act on this immediately.”

A building stands damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)