"‘Death to Israel’ Revived in Iran’s Youth: How a 12-Day War Reshaped Generational Identity and National Unity"

According to Saed News, the United States has finally raised its hands in a symbolic gesture of surrender, calling for a ceasefire following a fierce Israeli assault on Iranian soil. What began as a proxy offensive has now been recorded in history as a monumental act of resistance by Iranian forces—etched in the national memory for generations to come.

Iran, heir to a millennia-old civilization, has often emerged from foreign aggression like a phoenix rising from the ashes. This latest confrontation, ignited by Israel and underwritten by the strategic designs of the West, is no exception. Far from weakening Iran, the war has reignited nationalist fervor, reaffirmed military might, and elevated the country's geopolitical stature.

The 12-day war, seen by many analysts as a Western war by proxy, tore through Iranian cities and claimed many lives—yet it also dismantled the myth of Israeli invincibility. A media image constructed over 75 years and billions of dollars was shattered as Iran’s missile systems and unmanned aerial capabilities proved both potent and precise. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army mounted a formidable defense, showcasing advancements in aerospace warfare and bunker-busting drone technology.

From the very beginning, Iran’s Supreme Leader invoked the Quranic verse “Victory is from Allah, and conquest is near,” galvanizing public resolve. Less than two weeks later, that prophecy materialized: the enemy relented, and the narrative of defiance prevailed.

But this war was not merely fought on the battlefield—it was also a war of national identity. The Iranian people found themselves surrounded not only by foreign adversaries but also by internal agents of division. Despite ideological divides and long-standing grievances, the population rallied behind the armed forces. Collaborators were exposed and swiftly brought to justice. In this defining moment, unity trumped discord.

Several crucial lessons emerged from the conflict:

• Military Valor and Leadership: Iran’s armed forces, under the leadership of the Supreme Leader, displayed unparalleled courage and commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty. Their elevated stature now demands increased investment and urgent attention to their livelihood and operational needs.

• Government Cohesion: The Iranian state, by standing shoulder to shoulder with its military, projected a rare image of political cohesion. This unified response was pivotal in neutralizing one of the world’s most advanced militaries.

• National Solidarity: Iran’s mosaic of ethnicities, religions, and ideologies stood as one. When it comes to defending the homeland, no divide was large enough to overcome shared patriotism.

• Civic Mobilization: The spontaneous emergence of unity—especially during the “Friday of Fury” demonstrations where millions took to the streets regardless of dress or belief—sent an unambiguous message: Iran is sacred to all its children.

And most significantly, Israel’s ill-conceived offensive inadvertently seeded a generational transformation. The slogan “Death to Israel,” once carried by older generations, now runs in the veins of teenagers born in the 2000s and 2010s. No media campaign could have bridged this cultural generational gap as swiftly as the blood spilled in Tabriz and other cities—like that of seven-year-olds Alisan and Taha, among countless others.

What was meant to weaken Iran has instead renewed it. The price was steep—paid in the blood of the nation’s sons and daughters—but the outcome, in Tehran's eyes, was a decisive victory not just of arms, but of identity.