TEHRAN -- Iran held a solemn ceremony here to honor the families of 30 Iranian athletes martyred during the recent 12-day Israeli aggression against the country. 
The event, attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Sports and Youth, heads of sports federations, and relatives of the martyred athletes, underscored the nation’s commitment to remembering the victims and promoting unity amid ongoing conflict.
The ceremony also marked the send-off for Iran’s delegation to the 12th edition of The World Games (TWG 2025 Chengdu), scheduled for August 7 to 17 in China. 
In a symbolic show of solidarity, the athletes performed a military salute, echoing a similar gesture by Iran’s under-16 women’s basketball team during their recent match against Jordan at the West Asia Championship.
Since the outbreak of Israeli attacks on June 13, Iranian officials have reported that at least 68 athletes were among those martyred, highlighting the extensive human cost of the conflict. 
Ali Rezaei, the Leader’s representative in Iran’s Volunteer Basij Force Organization, opened the ceremony, emphasizing the critical role of sports martyrs in preserving the country’s national and religious identity. 
Rezaei called on today’s athletes to carry forward values of sacrifice, spirituality, and resistance, beyond mere athletic achievement.
Abdolhossein Khosrowpanah, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for the Cultural Revolution, praised the athletes’ patriotism and solidarity during the war, calling them “the real heroes” who made profound sacrifices despite their non-combatant roles. He noted that the sports community had suffered the largest number of martyrs, bringing honor and dignity to Iranian sports amid the turmoil.