On 13 June 2025, Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran by bombing several military and nuclear facilities, beginning the Twelve-Day War and drawing varied reactions across governments and non-governmental entities. The majority of reactions within the Iranian government and public were negative, although some in the Iranian diaspora called for an overthrow of the government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement addressing the citizens of Iran.
Countries across the world issued their own statements in regards to their stance on the conflict, predominately expressing condemnation of Israeli strikes on Iran or calling on the two countries to de-escalate tensions, and more broadly to de-escalate tensions within the scope of the Middle East. Among Israeli allies, several expressed support for the strikes on Iran, while others issued no official statement. There were also some demonstrations in response to the war.
Iran Government The spokesman of the Iranian Armed Forces, Abolfazl Shekarchi, vowed to retaliate against Israel and the United States. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei released a statement following the strikes, calling the attacks a "crime" and warned that the "Zionist regime prepared for itself a bitter and painful fate". The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Iran has the "legal and legitimate" right to respond to Israeli attacks under the UN Charter, also stating that the US will also be responsible for the "dangerous effects and consequences of the Zionist regime's adventure". The IRGC stated that it is ready to respond even after the death of its chief, Hossein Salami. Ahmad Vahidi was appointed as a temporary IRGC commander until Ali Khamenei appointed Major General Mohammad Pakpour. MP Alaeddin Boroujerdi said that "Iran will not participate in the sixth round of nuclear talks with the United States on [15 June] and until further notice." Former President Mohammad Khatami called for condemnation of this "criminal act" and said that the UN should be at the "forefront" in the effort "to prevent further tragedies by seriously and comprehensively" condemning Israel. Iran warned the United States, United Kingdom, and France that any assistance to Israel will result in their regional bases and ships being targeted, and one of the Iranian missiles has caused damage to the US consulate in Tel Aviv. On 13 June, the head of the Islamic Consultative Assembly's Councils Committee declared that "the Zionist regime and the United States should know that they will receive a swift, decisive, and shattering response." The following day, Mohammad-Reza Bahonar, a member of the Expediency Council, called for targeting U.S. positions in the region, accusing Washington of deceit and urging it to reconsider its support for Israel. Iran's communications ministry announced nationwide internet restrictions. On 19 June 2025, senior official Mohsen Rezaee said that the Israeli attacks was aimed to create chaos in the country by killing top military leaders, but the plan was repelled, saying that Israel's goals is to turn Iran into Syria and plunge it into a 10-year insecurity.
On 24 June 2025, President Masoud Pezeshkian gave a televised address describing the ceasefire as a "great victory". Iranian media claimed that the truce had been imposed on "the enemy" after four waves of attacks on "Israeli-occupied territories", and its National Security Council that it had "shattered the enemy's primary strategic goal". The government sought to convey its resilience, highlighting societal cohesion and civilian solidarity with its aims. Some reports suggested that moderate clerical and political figures had previously urged a truce on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, among them former president Hassan Rouhani, Supreme Leader advisor Ali Larijani, and Expediency Discernment Council chief Sadiq Larijani; a portion of these were rumored to have contemplated sidelining or ousting the Supreme Leader if the latter continued stonewalling negotiators. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in a detailed statement claimed that it was under the leadership of Khamenei throughout the war, and that the 22nd wave of Operation True Promise III had pressured the enemy to call for a ceasefire.
Iranian security forces have initiated a broad crackdown on individuals accused of sharing content considered "supportive of Israel." On 13 June, the Hormozgan Provincial Police Command reported the arrest of 14 citizens, claiming that, after the Israeli strikes, they "attempted to disturb public opinion and spread rumors in cyberspace were identified through technical and intelligence measures". At least 10 Iranians were held in custody on espionage charges linked to Israel.
Homayoun Sameh, the Jewish representative in Iran's parliament, stated that Israel is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity and also emphasized that Iranian Jews are part of the Iranian people. A Jewish community representative in Isfahan publicly condemned Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, calling them acts of "brutality" that caused the deaths of "beloved compatriots, including innocent children."
Iranian public Following the Israeli strikes that killed senior Iranian commanders, anger mixed with anxiety among many Iranians. In the capital, people gathered around large screens cheering as footage of Iran's missile response aired, while others expressed hope that the conflict would not escalate into full war. Protesters rallied in Tehran chanted slogans against Israel, calling for a forceful response and warning that without firm action, Iran could face the kind of devastation seen in Gaza.
Protests On 13 June, protesters in Qom and Tehran called for retaliation. Protesters waved the flags of Iran and Palestine and carried portraits of slain IRGC general Qasem Soleimani. In Tehran, demonstrators displayed images of slain commanders and scientists, with some participants expressing that Israel's complete defeat, rather than simple retaliation, was necessary to ensure long-term security. Others expressed feeling fearful of the current situation: "We are killed a thousand times with stress, especially for people like myself who have kids".
On 20 June, after Friday prayer, The New York Times reported crowds of people moving from mosques in Tehran to central squares and condemning Israel. According to Sky News, the size of the Tehran protest was "tens of thousands". Similar protests after Friday prayers took place in Tabriz and Mashhad.
Following the ceasefire, which ended the 12-day conflict, routine activities in Tehran began to resume. Commercial establishments, public services, and internet access were gradually restored, and residents returned to daily routines. Reports indicated that some individuals engaged in community-oriented actions, such as assisting elderly neighbors, caring for stray animals, and providing temporary shelter to those displaced by the hostilities.
Online interviews and surveys Interviews from BBC published on June 20, 2025, found divided public opinion among younger Iranians opposed to the Iranian regime. Some expressed support for Israel's actions against the Iranian government, while others rejected war as a correct method of opposition and expressed concern for civilian casualties in a prolonged war. There was also critique towards the Iranian government's response to the war, such as the decision to cut internet access and set up checkpoints to prevent evacuations in targeted areas and drive up casualty rates.
Interviews by ABC News published on 26 June, 2025, reported on young Iranians' expectations following the war. They expressed that, following decades of internal unrest and in the context of recent Israeli military actions targeting the Islamic Republic, the current regime's continued hold on power is untenable. However, there is uncertainty regarding how the change will occur. It was noted in the article that these individuals identities were with-held for their safety following recent arrests and executions.
An Iran International article expressed civilians disappointment in Khamenei during and after the war. One referred to him as a "coward" hiding in his bunker, another said Khamenei is living in an "illusion", believing Iran won the war and passing a message of victory. Iran International also reported a survey conducted by GAMAAN at the end of September 2025, with over 30,000 Iranian participants, reporting their responses to the Twelve-Day War: 44% believe that the Islamic Republic is responsible for starting the war, while only 33% blame Israel. More than half (51%) think that Israel achieved its objectives, compared to only 16% who believe the Islamic Republic was successful. 42% expressed anger toward the Islamic Republic during the war. 63% believe that the war was between Israel and the Islamic Republic, not against the Iranian people. 58% responded that the Islamic Republic failed to protect the population. 58% gave a negative rating to the performance of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during the war. 69% think that the Islamic Republic should stop calling for the destruction of Israel. 47% agree that to prevent another war, the Islamic Republic must stop uranium enrichment, while 49% oppose Iran developing nuclear weapons.
According to The Washington Post, state restrictions and reluctance among Iranians to speak openly with international media make it "difficult to gauge public sentiment in Iran." Ongoing economic challenges, political restrictions, and international tensions have led to widespread frustration and disillusionment regarding prospects for reform. Some Iranians interviewed by the Post expressed satisfaction at the deaths of certain government officials, with a few using the Eid al-Ghadir holiday to express such sentiments. Others suggested that the news seemed more alarming to observers abroad, noting that Iranians have endured significant hardships in the past. Demonstrations in support of the government and against Israel were also reported. NPR quoted one woman expressing approval of the Israeli attack, while others described the news as a rare moment of relief amid years of difficulties. Some Iranians chanted slogans against Supreme Leader Khamenei, while social media users proposed symbolic targets like state-run media and his son Mojtaba Khamenei, linked to past crackdowns. However, some observers expressed concern that destabilizing the leadership through targeted killings could lead to anarchy and broader regional instability.
Iranian diaspora Support Exiled opposition figures Reza Pahlavi, Crown Prince of Iran, activist Masih Alinejad, Dutch-Iranian legal scholar Afshin Ellian, Dutch, Swedish, and Canadian politicians Ulysse Ellian, Alireza Akhondi and Goldie Ghamari and actress Nazanin Boniadi, expressed support for an overthrow of the Iranian government amidst the fighting with Israel, with some also supporting the Israeli strikes. The People's Mojahedin of Iran (MKO) co-leader Maryam Rajavi called on the Iranian people to overthrow the government, while not openly supporting Israel. She also warned against negotiating with Khamenei.
Opposition The US-based National Iranian American Council condemned Israel's attack, writing that it "lacked legal justification under international law" and "unnecessarily endangered the lives of many innocent people". The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) expressed deep distress and alarm over the Israeli military strikes, particularly those that impacted civilian infrastructure. Their statement affirmed, "We condemn any military aggression that endangers civilian lives and destabilizes an already volatile region".