And Iran Won!

According to SAEDNEWS, many in the region and across the world—especially observers and followers of Iranian affairs and the country’s activities over the past ten years—perhaps believed that Iran abandoning some of its old habits, particularly those related to how it reacts to developments around it or to issues directly involving it, was nearly impossible. That’s because what has come to be known as Iran’s policy of “strategic patience” has always been a hallmark of its conduct, especially in the context of its confrontation with the Axis of Evil led by the United States and its spearhead in the region, the Zionist regime. A confrontation that, until recently, had remained indirect, sometimes managed through resistance forces and other times through allied actors.

With this introduction, Ahmad Abd al-Rahman wrote in a column for Al Mayadeen: One of the most significant chapters in this confrontation was the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists by the Zionists with American support—foremost among them, the martyr Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. In addition, several of Iran’s scientific facilities were targeted through cyberattacks and sabotage operations, culminating in the assassination of the martyr Commander Qasem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC Quds Force, near Baghdad airport. Iran remained committed to its strategy of "strategic patience", and even as Zionist attacks continued—some of which had serious consequences for Iranian society and its reputation as a powerful and resilient nation—it did not abandon this policy.

Although Iran’s response to Soleimani’s assassination—targeting the U.S. military base Ain al-Asad in Iraq’s Anbar Desert—marked a temporary departure from that policy, the scale and scope of that deviation were carefully calculated and did not significantly fracture Iran’s long-term strategic approach. That strategy seemed to aim at buying as much time as possible to complete preparations for a large-scale confrontation in the region—one that was anticipated, inevitable, and could not be escaped without consequence.

In its previous two retaliatory operations in response to repeated Zionist crimes—particularly the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus—Iran targeted the occupied territories with ballistic missiles. These strikes were notable for their precision in hitting enemy military bases and targets, and for their volume and duration. However, after the latest Israeli-American aggression on the morning of Friday, June 13, which inflicted human and material losses described at a minimum as “severe and unprecedented,” Iran made a historic decision. It abandoned its policy of strategic patience and overtly and explicitly stepped away from its customary restraint.

In its exceptional operation “True Promise 3”, Iran shattered many illusions of the Zionist regime and its allies in the region and the world. Without a doubt, it crushed all the fantasies harbored by Netanyahu and his extremist coalition. He had imagined he could topple the most important strongholds of resistance in the region with a single knockout blow and rid himself of the worst nightmares that had haunted him since his first term in power. It even reached the point where he began heralding the dawn of a "new Middle East"—one where the Zionist regime would be the ultimate ruler, imposing tribute on the people and states of the region. This delusion was echoed in the absurd remarks of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who openly demanded that certain Arab countries bear the cost of the war against Iran. This highlights the level of arrogance and delusion the rogue, criminal Zionist regime had reached.

Operation “True Promise 3” proved to be shocking and unexpected—especially for the occupying Zionist regime. In the wake of Iran’s large-scale strikes, even its trusted ally Washington had to uncharacteristically accept Iran’s attack on its largest base in the region, moving toward accepting Iran’s conditions for a ceasefire—a ceasefire that entailed a complete and comprehensive halt to all forms of aggression. The enemy front failed to achieve any meaningful gains that could shift the dynamics—most importantly, it did not succeed in destroying Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, which, by all indications, appears to have emerged unscathed from the recent U.S. assault. In fact, it might even witness a fresh phase of advancement in the coming days. If Iran chooses to, it could now move toward obtaining a nuclear bomb—something that would deal a historic blow to the entire global Axis of Evil.

Over the course of 12 days of battle, Iran wrote an unprecedented epic. Despite the conflict being unequal—militarily, in terms of weaponry and intelligence, logistical support, and the political and media landscape, which overwhelmingly favored its enemies—Iran achieved a stunning success. One that surprised not just its enemies but also its allies. It redrew red lines that had never existed before—lines that may now act as a deterrent against the ambitions of all its adversaries.

After the events of the past two weeks, it can now be said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has secured a decisive victory over the entire Axis of Evil. Iran’s political, diplomatic, and military efforts, along with its domestic security initiatives, have dealt a fatal blow to its enemies and neutralized their sinister plots—plots targeting all Iranians, regardless of political affiliation. It has also thwarted a broader scheme aimed at eradicating all resistance groups in the region. Had Iran been defeated in this war, the resistance axis would have faced unprecedented challenges—possibly leading to the collapse or dissolution of some resistance groups, or at the very least, their retreat.

Iran’s retaliatory strike on the occupied territories

Punishing Israel.

The “True Promise 3” operation clearly demonstrated that Iran is not a state with clipped wings. Rather, it proved to all that Iran is larger than a state, greater than geography—it is a fusion of history and civilization, of science, literature, and culture. It is a nation that can read the past and plan for the future. Iran has shown that enduring conspiracies is not impossible, and that facing down the schemes of its enemies—no matter how grand—is achievable. Victory is not solely determined by capability or resources.

Iran has proven that sticking to principles is more important than immediate gains; that continuing the path of those who dedicated their lives to serving the nation and its cause matters more than preserving short-term accomplishments. All sacrifices pale in comparison to preserving rightful claims and the legitimacy of one’s goals.

Despite the heavy costs it bore during this confrontation, Iran emerged victorious—and it paid a far smaller price than it would have, had it accepted humiliation and defeat, or chosen to absorb aggression out of fear that the conflict might escalate.

Thanks to wise leadership, domestic unity, solidarity across political, religious, and ethnic groups, and the support of the people despite all the hardships and crises, Iran was victorious.

Iran won—and took part of the revenge for Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Yemen, as well as for all the oppressed peoples of the world. People who, for the first time in modern history, felt that someone stood to defend them and avenge the injustices they had endured. They felt that this rogue regime and its violent settlers—after destroying so many lands, killing, burning, and wiping out everything their blood-stained hands could reach—had finally met a force capable of punishing them.