WANA (Jul 15) – Iran’s government spokesperson said: “We have never sought war, and our history proves this. But we will not submit to oppression, and we will certainly not surrender.”

 

Fatemeh Mohajerani, speaking today (Tuesday, July 15, 2025) at the weekly press conference with journalists, said: “The main message the government has conveyed to the world in recent days is that we are not seeking war, but we are not willing to surrender either.”

 

The spokesperson added: “We made sure this important message was clearly delivered to the world in diplomatic meetings and interviews: that we have never sought war—our history shows this—but we will not accept oppression and will never surrender.”

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)

Mohajerani noted that Iran’s geographical position has repeatedly made it a target of foreign aggression over the years, saying: “What has given the Iranian people resilience is the deep roots of this nation. The Iranian people have endured and remained steadfast throughout history because of their heritage.”

 

The government spokesperson continued: “The President’s message yesterday to Iranians abroad emphasized that the people are the true owners of the country, the beating heart of this land. Despite psychological and economic pressures, the world witnessed the historic unity of the Iranian nation. The Iranian people demonstrated that they will not allow any foreign power to interfere.”

 

Government’s Position on U.S. President’s Insult Toward Iran’s Supreme Leader

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani addressed the government’s position on the U.S. president’s offensive remarks about Iran’s Supreme Leader, saying: “Naturally, our society is angry about these insults. Religious scholars, as an influential social group, issued a fatwa in response to this disrespect. The government’s position will be announced through official channels, and we will pursue our stance seriously via international legal avenues.”

 

She added: “Let me emphasize again that this fatwa was issued in direct response to the insults. Our scholars reacted to these offensive remarks. Ayatollah Sistani and the Grand Mufti of Bosnia were among the first to respond quickly.”

The new mural in Palestine Square, Tehran — bearing the phrase “You are no longer safe” in Persian, Arabic, and Hebrew / WANA News Agency

The new mural in Palestine Square, Tehran — bearing the phrase “You are no longer safe” in Persian, Arabic, and Hebrew / WANA News Agency

If Necessary, We Will Increase the Defense Budget

Responding to a question about damage assessments from the imposed war and whether the budget might be revised to cover these losses, Mohajerani said: “The damage assessment phase is not yet complete. For now, there is no need to revise the 1404 budget, but if necessary, it will be done.”

 

On the government’s position regarding a parliamentary bill to strengthen support for the armed forces, she said: “I want to express our deep gratitude to our armed forces. Part of the defense industry’s demands have already been included in this year’s budget. If further needs arise, they will be addressed through the Commander-in-Chief.”

 

She also spoke about funding for homes and essential goods for families affected by the war: “People who have been affected have every right to be concerned about their situation. A meeting has been scheduled with the Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order Headquarters, and the Foundation of the Oppressed to design an effective process that makes good use of private sector capacity.”

 

 

Between Free Flow of Information and Public Safety, We Choose Safety

Regarding internet shutdowns during the war, Mohajerani explained: “From the beginning, the government’s approach has been to provide open internet access. But during the war, some of the enemy’s drones were being controlled via the internet. To protect the public, we had to switch to the national network. Between the free flow of information and the safety and lives of our people, we choose safety.”

 

On the government’s position about a parliamentary bill to intensify measures against spies, she said: “The government doesn’t have a subjective or personal stance. Our professional view is that we identified flaws in the bill and raised them, and there has been excellent coordination to amend it.”

 

5,600 Injured and 90,000 Psychological Support Calls During the War

Mohajerani also provided figures on casualties and trauma from the war: “We have recorded 5,600 people physically injured, and our 4030 hotline received about 90,000 calls for psychological issues. Steps have been taken to reduce people’s anxiety.”

An injured woman treated in a hospital, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Tehran, Iran, June 21, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Government Spokesperson Suggests Renaming the “12-Day War”

Regarding the use of the phrase “12-Day War” for Israel’s imposed war on Iran, Mohajerani said: “Please make an effort to find another term. It doesn’t sound right to use terminology they have created. Perhaps calling it ‘Sacred Defense’ would be better.”

 

She added: “Start a campaign to choose a name for the 12-day conflict, because Zionists are in the habit of defining these kinds of labels themselves.”