Aref Credits Khamenei’s Leadership and National Unity for Repelling 12‑Day Israeli Offensive

According to Saed News, Tehran’s ability to absorb and counter sustained Israeli strikes stemmed from a strategy conceived months before hostilities erupted and anchored in the Supreme Leader’s clear wartime vision. Aref revealed that, following the assassination of a foreign dignitary on Iranian soil last autumn, government agencies quietly adopted “wartime assumptions” as early as October — all while projecting calm to the public.

When the first barrage landed, an emergency session under Article 127 of the Constitution swiftly vested provincial governors with extraordinary powers. Four crisis task forces—focused on the economy, security, infrastructure and public messaging—were activated, each endowed with executive authority to act without bureaucratic delay. Two economic contingencies were modelled: one presuming daily oil exports of 500,000 barrels, the other assuming zero export revenues.

Despite intermittent bombardments, Iran avoided panic buying and strategic reserve withdrawals. Gasoline demand briefly surged to nearly 200 million litres—far above the 120 million‑litre daily norm—but was stabilised by rapid logistics and solidarity‑driven price cuts by wholesalers. Aref praised the public’s composure and “the truck drivers and distributors who ensured shelves stayed stocked at cost.”

Tehran insists that Israel’s aims—to cripple Iran’s defence command, foment domestic unrest and force negotiations—went unrealised. Yet Aref warned that the current pause is no peace. He invoked Lebanon’s violent post‑ceasefire spike to caution that “the worst martyrs often fall after the guns fall silent.” All ministries have been ordered to compile wartime reviews, he added, “so that if conflict resumes, our response will be faster and more forceful.”