Pezeshkian says Iran’s 'power and unity has defied predictions of collapse'

Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said that Iran was fighting a "full-scale economic, military and security war", but the nation's “power and cohesion had astonished the world".

Speaking at a ceremony where participants renewed allegiance with the ideals of the Islamic Republic's founder, Pezeshkian said: "The enemies imagined that with their pressure and actions, Iran would collapse.”

“Not only did this not happen, but the power and unity of the Iranian nation amazed the world," he said.

Pezeshkian praised the people's resistance, saying analysts “could not easily explain how the nation had withstood such pressure”.

"Our dear people truly performed a miracle," he said, according to the Mehr news agency.

"Of course, we are ashamed before the people that problems exist," Pezeshkian said, "but as long as we have breath in our bodies, we will serve our dear people and pass through these crises with strength."