TEHRAN -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) spokesman said Tuesday that the U.S. and European countries seek to retaliate against the Iranian nation by reinstating sanctions following their defeat in the 12-day war
Speaking at a seminar for empowering Basij university professors, Ali-Muhammad Naini said Iran’s economy has successfully withstood these pressures, but the adversaries have failed to understand the deeper sources of Iran’s strength.  
“The enemy’s purely material calculations did not account for Iran’s real power elements: culture of resistance, spirit of jihad and martyrdom, strong leadership, religious faith, divine support, and national unity,” he said.
Nayini described the conflict as a hybrid war, with Western powers mobilizing their full military capabilities against Iran. 
“They launched an all-out war,  confident of success, but Iranian resistance and the leadership of the Supreme Leader forced them to retreat and request a ceasefire,” he added.
Drawing comparisons to the 1980s Iran-Iraq war, Naini said the enemy’s objective in both conflicts was to fragment the country, but the Iranian people prevented this. 
“Victory is not limited to the battlefield; it is also about controlling the narrative. The belief in Iran’s victory at home and abroad is a key achievement,” he said.
He noted that many regional experts and Western think tanks recognized Iran’s success or admitted Israel failed to meet its goals. “Iran accepted the ceasefire from a position of strength,” Naini said.
He also highlighted Iran’s economic resilience under sanctions as a critical factor. “Despite sanctions,
 Iran maintained relative stability, while Israel faced sirens and displacement,” he noted.
Naini praised the swift response of Iran’s armed forces following the martyrdom of key commanders, showing the strength of Iran’s military command.
He identified four main factors behind Iran’s success: divine support, wise leadership, powerful armed forces, and a united people, adding the enemy’s mistakes as a fifth.
Naini stressed the importance of universities and media in the ongoing cognitive war, which continues beyond military operations. 
“If the war narrative is not conveyed correctly, the enemy will distort it,” he said. “Media work is as vital as missiles and drones. True victory lies in transmitting reality.”