WANA (Jul 03) – For a moment, imagine being thousands of kilometers away from your country, in a foreign land. News of war arrives; your family is likely in danger, the sky is filled with fighter jets, your country’s airspace is closed, and there is no way back… but you must stand firm. What would your reaction be?

 

In days when headlines are dominated by war, missiles, explosions, and the flight of military aircraft, some small images—some gestures—often go unnoticed or receive little attention; yet their weight is more than any scream.

 

One of those images was captured on June 14, 2025: a simple yet profound moment from the Iranian national volleyball team during their third match in the Volleyball Nations League.

 

The players, just one day after Israel’s aggression against Iranian soil—which had led to the death of several civilians, military commanders, and nuclear scientists—had to face the Slovenian team. Thousands of kilometers away from home, on neutral ground, but with troubled hearts and distracted minds.

Iranian national volleyball team. Social media/ WANA News Agency

A Military Salute on the Volleyball Court

That day, everything about the match began as usual. But when the sound of Iran’s national anthem played through the speakers, a scene unfolded that—amid complete silence—spoke volumes.

 

The young men of Iran’s national team, with solemn faces and heavy eyes, raised their hands to their foreheads and gave a military salute— a symbolic gesture—an expression of respect for their homeland and the people who, at that very moment, were worried about them.

 

At that exact hour, while millions of Iranians anxiously followed the news of war, the national volleyball team had to play. They had to overcome their thoughts, their worries, and their distracted hearts.

Iran’s Under-16 national volleyball team. Social media/ WANA News Agency

They had to stand firm against a strong opponent and, on the court, be not just athletes, but carriers of Iranian national pride. That brief military salute was a symbol of standing one’s ground, of remaining a soldier, even in sportswear.

 

But the story didn’t end with that single gesture. The impact of this act reached deep into the hearts of the younger generation. During the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) tournament, Iran’s Under-16 national team players also gave the same military salute during the national anthem. As if the message had passed from one generation to the next:

 

At every level, at every age, we are soldiers of this land.

 

A Message on a Tissue from the Heart of Brazil

Alongside the players, another figure who went through an emotional and difficult time was Roberto Piazza, the Italian head coach of Iran’s national volleyball team.

 

Fully aware of his team’s emotional state, he received a handwritten message from a Brazilian fan on a tissue paper during those days, just before the match between Brazil and Ukraine in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League, held at the Maracanãzinho Arena in Rio de Janeiro. The message, simple and written on a tissue, read:

 

“We are praying for peace for you. God bless you all. Brazil is with Iran.”

A Message on a Tissue from the Heart of Brazil. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Piazza, a strict and professional man, couldn’t hide his emotions in front of the Brazilian media. Tears welled up in his eyes. Holding the tissue in his hand, he placed his other hand over his heart and thanked the people of Brazil. In an interview, he said:

 

“It’s really hard to explain the mental state of my players. All of them are constantly in contact with their families. Some of them had loved ones near the sites of the explosions. We can’t do anything from here…”

 

And yet, they fought. With their minds preoccupied by the safety of their families, while social media and news were flooded with images of explosions and warnings, they stood tall. Not just to win, but burdened with the weight of what was happening back home.

Roberto Piazza, the Italian head coach of Iran’s national volleyball team. Social media/ WANA News Agency

And yet, amid all the tension and headlines, that simple gesture—a military salute—went largely unnoticed. The media paid it little attention, perhaps because the image wasn’t as loud as the explosions. But history remembers moments like these—moments that show glory isn’t always about winning, but sometimes in standing tall and showing respect when it’s hardest to do so.

 

During those turbulent times in Iran, these athletes took to the field in their sportswear and showed respect, and showed that being a soldier doesn’t always mean carrying a weapon. Sometimes, with a ball and a court, one can fight for one’s homeland.

 

Perhaps it is that very silence and resilience that will become the most enduring image of those days and their most enduring victory.

 

What Iran Endured During the 12-Day War

On June 13, the Israeli regime, in a blatant violation of international law and Iran’s national sovereignty, launched a military attack targeting areas in Tehran and other cities, including the country’s nuclear facilities.

 

This act killed several Iranian scientists, military personnel, and civilians. This action did not go unpunished, as Iran’s Supreme Leader stated, and the Israeli regime faced severe retaliatory strikes.

People gather in the street in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

In the continuation of this aggression, the United States also joined Israel’s war against Iran by launching direct attacks early Sunday (June 22) on Iran’s nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

 

This aggression also faced a strong response, in which Iran struck the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. This base is the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force and its largest strategic asset in West Asia.

 

Finally, on June 24, the U.S. President announced a ceasefire agreement between Iran and the Israeli regime. The Islamic Republic of Iran, while stressing that it did not start the war, declared that if the Israeli regime halts its illegal aggression, Iran also has no intention of continuing its retaliatory actions.

 

According to the latest statistics, a total of 935 Iranians have lost their lives during the recent attacks, including 38 children and 132 women, some of whom were pregnant. This comes despite Israel’s claim that civilians had not been targeted in these attacks.

Army air defence firing is seen following the Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)