In June, preparations for war were virtually finished, The Washington Post reported. Numerous Israeli agents were positioned within Iran, armed with sophisticated weaponry. Israeli Air Force pilots awaited orders to strike nuclear infrastructure and missile sites. Jerusalem and the US had reached a consensus on Tehran's nuclear progress. Diplomatic ruses were employed to distract the regime.

Security officials knew that lasting damage required eliminating the "brain trust," the scientists whom intelligence agencies believed were mastering the creation of atomic bombs.

At 3:21 a.m. on June 13, Israeli weapons struck Tehran, initiating Operation Narnia. Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, a sanctioned physicist, was killed in his apartment. Fereydoun Abbasi, another key figure, died two hours later. Israel stated it assassinated 11 senior scientists during the campaign.

The Washington Post and PBS "Frontline" revealed these details based on interviews with officials. Experts say the program has been set back years, though this contradicts President Donald Trump's claim that it was "completely and totally obliterated."

Amir Tehranchi told Frontline regarding his brother: "With the killing of these professors, they might be gone, but their knowledge isn't lost to our country."

Israel had previously killed scientists using deniable methods. In June, however, it acted openly, emboldened by successes against proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. An Israeli Air Force general stated they finally had an "operational opportunity to do it."

For Operation Narnia, analysts identified the 100 most critical scientists, narrowing the list to about a dozen. The Washington Post and Bellingcat verified 71 civilian casualties in the strikes.

One attack on the Professors Complex killed 10 civilians. Another strike targeted Mohammad Reza Sedighi Saber but killed his son. Saber was later killed in Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh.

"One of the major considerations for the planning of Operation Narnia was to try to minimize as much as possible the collateral damage," a senior Israeli officer said.

Brig. Gen. Elad Edri noted Iranian retaliation killed 31 Israelis. Tehran claimed 1,062 deaths from the Israeli campaign. The wider campaign, Rising Lion, destroyed over half of Iran's missile launchers and decimated air defenses. US B-2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles participated. Inside Iran, Mossad mobilized agents equipped with a "special weapon" for precision attacks.

"This operation is unprecedented in history," the official said. "We mobilized our own assets and agents to go close to Tehran and launch the ground operation before the [Israeli] Air Force could enter Iranian airspace."

Israel had long contemplated this assault. Obstacles vanished after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack. The ensuing war in Gaza and operations against Hezbollah changed the strategic landscape. The collapse of the Syrian regime in 2024 also contributed.

"Plans changed along the years, but they became very concrete after those two events," the Israeli Air Force general said. While the US and Israel agreed Iran was seeking a weapon, intelligence assessments varied.

Netanyahu presented Trump with four attack scenarios. Planning continued despite Trump's desire for diplomacy. "The thinking was, if talks fail, we are ready to go," a source said.

The Iran-Israel war took place in June 2025 (Pictured: The Iranian flag next to a missile in Iran in 2008) / AP Photo/Fars News Agency, Vahid Reza Alaei

In April, Trump gave Iran 60 days to agree to a deal. As the deadline passed, he and Netanyahu used deception to mask the coming strike.

"All the reports that were written about Bibi not being on the same page with Witkoff or Trump were not true," the source said. "But it was good that this was the general perception, it helped to move on with the planning without many people noticing it."

The Trump administration made a final push even as bombing began, secretly transmitting a proposal. The terms included Tehran ending support for proxies and "replacing" the Fordow facility and "any other functioning facility". In return, the US would lift "all sanctions placed on Iran."

"What Iran did not know is that this overture would be its final opportunity before Trump approved US firepower joining Israel's," The Post reported.  Tehran rejected it, and Trump authorized US strikes, a diplomat told the Post. 

Officials say damage is severe. "Overall, the damage caused by airstrikes to numerous nuclear sites was extensive and, in many cases, catastrophic," the Institute for Science and International Security stated.

Israel claims the program is "significantly delayed". IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi told Frontline damage is "very substantial," though the uranium stockpile "is where it was by and large."

"Obviously, without having physical access to a place, any evaluation is partial," Grossi said.

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani told Frontline: "Iran's nuclear program can never be destroyed... Because once you have discovered a technology, they can't take the discovery away."

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Kamal Kharrazi stated in an exclusive CNN interview from Tehran, "They have to make the first move to show that they are ready to engage with us on the conditions that we put… it has to be based on equal footing and mutual respect," adding, "The agenda would be prepared in advance to ensure the clarity of substance and the process of discussions." He continued, "Unfortunately, President (Donald) Trump does not believe in diplomatic engagement but rather prefers to use force to achieve his objectives."

President Donald Trump said later Tuesday that Iran appears "very much" interested in reaching an agreement with Washington on its nuclear program. At a White House dinner honoring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump told guests, "They'd like very much to make a deal with us, and they call us, and we'll end up probably doing that, that's Iran."

Iran's conditions for rapprochement remain unchanged since the June strikes, Kharrazi revealed to CNN, with uranium enrichment continuing for power generation and medical purposes while the expanding ballistic missile program stays excluded from negotiations. "It is only the nuclear issue we will discuss with the United States," he stated. Washington and Tehran were actively negotiating when Israel's surprise June attack eventually drew in the US, which struck three Iranian nuclear facilities – Washington's first direct military action inside Iran. Iran has recently confirmed that it has stopped enriching uranium due to the damage inflicted, although it is still unclear where its stash of highly enriched material was taken to, if it survived the bombing.

Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh informed CNN Sunday that despite severe damage to "infrastructure, machineries" and "buildings," the nuclear program remained "intact," while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no enrichment was occurring "right now" because facilities had been attacked. During summer negotiations, Washington demanded Tehran cease all enrichment, while Iran insisted on continuing domestic enrichment at levels unsuitable for weapons. The "degree of enrichment," not enrichment itself, would be the negotiation focus, Kharrazi explained to CNN.

When questioned about potential military confrontation with the US or Israel, Kharrazi responded, "Everything is possible. But we are ready for that."

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Health-related merchandise experienced widespread demand increases during the conflict period, with Iran International noting surges across multiple product categories including feminine hygiene items, sanitization solutions, diabetes testing materials, wound care supplies, cosmetic nail products, blood sugar monitoring devices, incontinence products, and medical bed protection materials.

According to Iran International, this consumer behavior analysis emerges three months following Israel's unexpected military offensive launched June 13, which targeted Iranian defense installations and atomic energy infrastructure. The strikes resulted in casualties among nuclear research personnel alongside the elimination of Iran's senior military commanders, while Iran's retaliatory drone and rocket campaigns claimed 31 Israeli civilian. American forces entered the confrontation on June 22 with attacks on critical nuclear complexes at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan facilities before mediating a cessation of hostilities June 24.

Global perspective

Comparable increases in prophylactic sales have emerged across various nations experiencing conflict or emergency situations, Iran International documented. South Korean retail establishments registered significant spikes following North Korea's atomic weapons testing in October 2006, with convenience stores averaging 1,930 daily condom transactions versus typical daily volumes of approximately 1,508 units. Russian major retail chains reported substantial increases after the Ukraine military action commenced in March 2022, according to Iran International, with Rigla pharmacy network documenting 26% growth while Wildberries online platform recorded approximately 170% annual increases attributed to consumer concerns regarding supply disruptions and pricing escalation.

Iran International noted similar purchasing patterns occurred across America during initial COVID-19 pandemic months, when manufacturers including Reckitt Benckiser documented sales increases connected to consumer uncertainty and logistics concerns rather than necessarily expanded product utilization.

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New satellite imagery of the Natanz enrichment plant shows that Iran has in last week removed and dispersed nearly all of the "chillers" from the two HVAC buildings at the Fuel Enrichment Plant at Natanz," Albright wrote in a post on X.

New satellite imagery of the Natanz enrichment plant shows that Iran has in last week removed and dispersed nearly all of the "chillers" from the two HVAC buildings at the Fuel Enrichment Plant at Natanz. The 24 chillers in total are being dispersed throughout the inside of the…

— David Albright (@DAVIDHALBRIGHT1) September 1, 2025

Albright, one of the leading experts on the Iranian nuclear issue, explained that the Iranians are utilizing the interim period when the facility is not operational. "The purpose of this removal and dispersal being that they are of high value, and since there is no electric power due to the Israeli bombings, and the centrifuges are currently inoperable, this is a tactic to make the chillers less vulnerable to future aerial bombardment in the interim."

Recent satellite imagery of the Natanz enrichment plant shows that Iran has in the last week removed and dispersed nearly all of the "chillers" from the two HVAC buildings at the Fuel Enrichment Plant at Natanz. Nineteen out of 24 chillers in total have been dispersed throughout… pic.twitter.com/V6lYYAl6Jb

— David Albright (@DAVIDHALBRIGHT1) September 2, 2025

He stated that some of the chillers were positioned on helicopter landing pads, others were relocated to the water purification facility area, and the remainder were scattered in various places throughout the complex. This, in light of the fact that the US exploited the ventilation systems of the Fordo nuclear site in its effort to compromise the underground enrichment halls beneath the mountain when it bombed the site with B-2 aircraft.

Natanz, situated approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) south of Tehran, formed the core of the Iranian nuclear program with around 18,000 centrifuges. The Israeli and American strikes inflicted severe damage on the facility. The International Atomic Energy Agency assessed at the war's outset that the impact on the surface facilities disabled the power grid and damaged the centrifuges in the subterranean halls. Subsequent American attacks later struck these halls directly.

The hurried evacuation at Natanz is taking place amid the escalating nuclear crisis. Since the war began, Iran has denied access to inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency who sought to visit the attacked facilities. This denial was a key factor that prompted Britain, France, and Germany last week to trigger the "snapback" mechanism, which will reimpose international sanctions within 30 days.

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The US is preparing to invest over $3.5 billion to restore its arsenal following operations connected to Israel, Bloomberg reported. Budget files completed by mid-May and reviewed by Bloomberg show allocations both for replacing interceptors – including at least $1 billion for RTX-produced missiles used against Iranian strikes – and for tasks such as radar upkeep, naval repair work, and munitions transport. Nearly all US-specific expenditures are labeled as "emergency budget requests."

The plan is tied to the 2024 Israeli Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which set aside $14 billion to rebuild US stockpiles and expand Israel's interceptor supply. According to Bloomberg, the Pentagon said these expenses cover missions by US Central Command either responding to "the situation in Israel" or to hostile activity from it, including combat "executed at the request of or in coordination with Israel for the defense of Israeli territory, personnel or assets during attacks by Iran" or allied groups.

The documentation cites US actions during Iran's April 2024 attack, which included more than 110 ballistic missiles, 30-plus cruise missiles, and over 150 drones. Bloomberg noted that the replenishment requests, which date back to late 2023, are distinct from the $4.2 billion in weapons already supplied to Israel from October 2023 through May 2025, as tracked by the Center for International Policy in an Aug. 7 report.

The largest single line item is about $1 billion to replace RTX's Standard Missile interceptors, especially the advanced "SM-3 IB Threat Upgrade" model costing $9 million to $12 million each. These were first launched from US Navy ships during the April 2024 missile barrages. Bloomberg also reported that $1.4 million was requested for a special flight mission that delivered fresh SM-3 IB interceptors to replace expended rounds.

In June, the USS Arleigh Burke and USS The Sullivans fired SM-3s to protect Israel, a US official said. A separate official told Bloomberg that a US Army unit in the area simultaneously deployed THAAD interceptors against Iranian missiles.

The second-largest request is $204 million for Lockheed Martin's THAAD interceptors, which cost about $12.7 million each to produce. Another $9.2 million is sought for delayed maintenance of the THAAD TPY-2 radar, requiring replacement of eight power engines and alternators. Budget files further describe the radar costs as stemming from an "unplanned THAAD deployment" at a new site, in addition to the unit the Pentagon previously confirmed deploying to Israel last October.

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"We are not in a ceasefire, we are in a stage of war. No protocol, regulation, or agreement has been written between us and the US or Israel," Safavi told Iran International. The general added his prediction that another conflict may occur, stating "I think another war may happen, and after that, there may be no more wars."

Safavi's comments represent the latest in a series of combative remarks from military leaders on both sides, with Israel's army chief vowing readiness for further strikes and Iran's General Staff warning of "a far stronger response" to any future attacks by the US or Israel. The Iranian general argued that his country must build power at both the regional and global levels.

"The Americans and the Zionists say they create peace through power; therefore Iran must also become strong, because in the system of nature the weak are trampled," Safavi explained to Iran International. Tehran's leadership continues to project defiance despite the threat of renewed UN sanctions and worsening shortages of power and water at home, developments that have led Iran's moderates to call for a change of course in foreign policy.

Safavi outlined what he described as Iran's strategy for deterrence. "We must strengthen our diplomatic, media, missile, drone and cyber offensive strategy," the general stated. "We, the military, do scenario-planning, we see the worst case, and we prepare a plan for it."

The general's comments come two months after Israel launched a surprise military campaign on June 13 targeting military and nuclear sites, killing hundreds of military personnel, nuclear scientists and civilians.

A US-brokered ceasefire came into effect on June 24, which ended the 12-day air war. Official data published this week suggests both Iran and Israel suffered economically during the 12-day war in June.

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"In this brutal summer heat, you don't even have clean, cold water to give your children. Such hypocrisy. Such disdain for the Iranian people. To live like this is not fair to you. It's not fair to your children," Netanyahu attacked the regime.

Video: PM Netanyahu speaks to the Iranians about water / Credit: GPO

Netanyahu, who launched Operation Rising Lion in June to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, contrasted Iran's struggles with Israel's achievements in water management. He proudly declared, "Israel is the #1 recycler of water in the world. We recycle 90% of our waste-water. And we lead the world in desalination." He recalled launching a Telegram channel in Farsi nearly a decade ago to share water management techniques, which attracted 100,000 Iranians almost immediately. This, he said, reflects both Iran's thirst for water and its people's yearning for freedom.

Netanyahu painted a vivid picture of a revitalized Iran, free from tyranny. He invited Iranians to imagine water skiing on the Karaj Dam, strolling along a restored Farahzad river, and seeing lush trees in Niavaran and Darband. He also spoke of reviving Urmia lake, a once-stunning natural wonder in northwest Iran. These visions, he argued, are achievable with Israel's expertise, which would be shared the moment Iran achieves freedom. "The moment your country is free, Israel's top water experts will flood into every Iranian city bringing cutting-edge technology and know-how." He added, "Well, all of this is not a dream. This can be your reality. But instead of making this a reality, your dictators impose tyranny and poverty upon you - just as they impose war on us," Netanyahu lamented. "For 46 years, you have been denied the most basic human rights. The right to express yourselves freely. To write, speak and sing whatever you please."

Netanyahu condemned Iran's regime for prioritizing foreign conflicts over domestic needs. Netanyahu asserted that Tehran's leaders have squandered hundreds of billions of dollars on groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, neglecting hospitals, schools, and infrastructure. He decried the regime's repression, holding up books by Iranian dissidents forced to publish abroad as evidence of stifled voices. "You, the descendants of Cyrus the Great, deserve much more," he said.

In a call to action, Netanyahu urged Iranians to take to the streets, demand justice, and protest tyranny. He assured them of global support, stating, "I stand with you. Israel stands with you. The entire free world stands with you."

"Take to the streets. Demand justice. Demand accountability. Protest tyranny. Build a better future for your families and for all Iranians. Do not let these fanatic mullahs ruin your lives for a minute longer," Netanyahu said.

PM Netanyahu to the people of Iran:
As our founding father, Theodor Herzl, said of the Jewish state, "If you will it, it is no dream"

And I say to you, "if you will it, a free Iran is no dream."
Now is the time for action.
Now is the time to fight for freedom.

Iran Baraye Irani pic.twitter.com/0piWqVO8EJ

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 12, 2025

He further made a prediction that the "cruel, callous, and cowardly" regime in Tehran will not last long, promising a future where Iran's economy thrives, water flows abundantly, and children live joyously. Quoting Theodor Herzl, he concluded, "If you will it, it is no dream," adapting the phrase to inspire Iranians: "Iran Baraye Irani" – Iran for Iranians.

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Recent attacks have ranged from a cyber heist at an Iranian cryptocurrency exchange to a surge in spear-phishing campaigns that targeted prominent Israelis. Cybersecurity firm Check Point reported that these messages were disguised as coming from diplomats and even from Israel's prime minister's office. "It heated up after the start of the war, and it's still going on," said one Israeli official of the persistent text messages. "I'm still getting them."

While physical combat between the nations ended after 12 days, the digital conflict rages on. Iranian-aligned cyber groups have used recently discovered vulnerabilities in Microsoft server software to target Israeli businesses. Boaz Dolev, CEO of ClearSky, a cybersecurity company, confirmed this, stating, "Although there is a ceasefire in the physical world, in the cyber arena, [the attacks] did not stop."

Israel and Iran have been trading cyberattacks for years. Widely believed to have been behind the 2010 Stuxnet virus that crippled Iran's Natanz facility, Israel's cyber warriors seem to have dealt the heaviest blows this time. "Intelligence collection was the biggest game changer," Menny Barzilay, former chief information security officer for the Israel Defense Forces intelligence services, said.

Iran's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Sattar Hashemi, recently claimed that Iran experienced over 20,000 cyber-attacks during the conflict, calling it "the most extensive" campaign in the country's history. These attacks included disruptions to Iran's air defense systems as Israeli jets began their airstrikes on June 13. But according to Barzilay, the most significant role of digital warfare was the cyber-espionage campaign that preceded the military conflict. Israel's ability to gather detailed intelligence on Iranian nuclear scientists and military officials helped facilitate the assassination of several key figures early in the war.

One hacking group, Gonjeshke Darande, believed to be aligned with Israel, attacked the Iranian cryptocurrency exchange Nobitex, stealing $90 million. The group also targeted major Iranian banks, causing significant disruptions to services at state-owned Bank Sepah and privately owned Bank Pasargad. Iranian officials also faced substantial cybersecurity challenges, with Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi, a former technical manager at Iran's Ministry of Intelligence, blaming the country's centralized data systems for the breaches.

In response, Iranian cyber groups have targeted around 50 Israeli companies, including critical infrastructure providers, as well as leaking sensitive personal data. Meanwhile, they have launched disinformation campaigns, such as sending fake messages purportedly from Israel's home command system, which instructs citizens during emergencies.

Despite these setbacks, experts like Moty Cristal, a crisis negotiator, believe that cyber-attacks from Iranian-aligned groups are unlikely to cease. "It's a far easier way to hit back than further military action," he explained. The digital world's deniability allows both Israel and Iran to continue their cyber conflict, even as international pressures mount to avoid escalating the war further.

"Both Israel and Iran know that if they attack each other, US President Donald Trump will be angry. But you can do whatever you want in cyberspace and probably no one will say anything," Barzilay said, pointing out that cyberattacks provide both sides with a way to retaliate without the risk of broader international backlash.

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"Those who are left will be at the forefront of any Iranian attempt to reach a nuclear bomb, hence they will automatically become targets for Israel, as Israel has shown in the past. I have no doubt about it. Any scientist who deals with the nuclear issue will be eliminated or will be threatened with elimination," he stated.

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The wave of explosions and fires has targeted diverse locations including apartment complexes, oil refineries, roads near major airports, and even a shoe factory. While Iranian officials have publicly attributed the incidents to aging infrastructure, gas leaks, and coincidental malfunctions, they privately suspect a coordinated campaign designed to create instability, The New York Times reported.

Iranian authorities have focused their suspicions on Israel, citing its extensive history of covert operations within Iran, including previous explosions and assassinations. A European official who deals with Iran independently assessed the attacks as sabotage and suspected Israeli involvement, according to The New York Times. The officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

A senior Israeli intelligence official had vowed to continue operating in Iran following Israel's 12-day bombing campaign against the country last month. The incidents have occurred at a rate of one to two explosions per day across Iran, creating what officials describe as widespread anxiety among both government personnel and the general population.

Among the most significant incidents was a fire at a major oil-producing refinery in the southern city of Abadan on Saturday that killed one person, injured several others, and disabled a production line. Other explosions have struck residential buildings with such force that they sent massive plumes of smoke into the air while collapsing walls and ceilings.

Iranian officials have not provided evidence to support their sabotage suspicions, and authorities who spoke publicly continued to cite alternative explanations including gas leaks, garbage fires, and deteriorating infrastructure. However, they have also failed to provide convincing explanations for why gas explosions are occurring at such an unprecedented rate across the country, The New York Times noted.

The Iranian authorities remain hesitant to publicly declare their suspicions about potential Israeli involvement because they fear being cornered into having to retaliate against Israel. Iran's air defense systems, missile launchers, military bases, and nuclear facilities sustained significant damage during last month's conflict, leaving the country's military capabilities weakened.

Although Iran maintained its ability to launch ballistic missiles into Israel until the final hours before a ceasefire ended the conflict, officials worry that restarting hostilities could further compromise Iran's military strength. This strategic vulnerability has influenced Iran's decision to maintain public silence about potential Israeli involvement while privately investigating the incidents.

Iran: A fire broke out at the refinery facilities in the city of Abadan, in the southwest of the country.
Gas leak? pic.twitter.com/jSVfzoLbfE

— daniel (@LionsOfZion_ORG) July 19, 2025

Some explosions have targeted strategically sensitive locations beyond basic infrastructure. One blast occurred at a high-rise compound in Tehran that provides discounted housing to judiciary employees, blowing out walls and windows. The three Iranian officials told The New York Times they believe saboteurs might have deliberately targeted the location to create panic among judges and prosecutors, similar to Israel's previous campaign of assassinating nuclear scientists.

In another case in Qom, an apartment building explosion was so powerful it resembled the aftermath of a bomb blast, with first-floor walls brought down and windows shattered. A yellow taxi parked on the street was crushed under rubble, and the blast injured seven people while covering the entire surrounding block in debris, according to videos published on social media and BBC Persian.

The unit that exploded appeared to have been rented by operatives who left the building after turning on stove and oven gas, seemingly to deliberately spark a blaze, two Iranian officials told The New York Times. This pattern suggests a level of planning and coordination that contradicts official explanations of accidental gas leaks.

For over a decade before the recent war, Israel and Iran conducted their battles primarily through covert operations spanning air, land, sea, and cyberspace. Israel has repeatedly carried out clandestine operations in Iran, including explosions and drone strikes targeting nuclear facilities and military figures. Iran has responded by attacking Israeli-owned ships in the Persian Gulf, launching missiles at Israel-linked structures in Iraq, and funding armed groups like Hamas in Gaza.

Publicly, Iranian officials have attempted to explain away the fires through various means. In cases such as the blaze near Mashhad International Airport in northeast Iran, officials claimed they were conducting "controlled burning of weeds," while attributing a Tehran fire to garbage burning. For most blazes, however, Iranian officials have blamed gas leaks caused by what the director of Tehran's fire and public safety departments, Ghodratollah Mohammadi, described to state media as "worn-out equipment, the use of substandard gas appliances and disregard for safety principles."

The Revolutionary Guards member interviewed by The New York Times stated that the cumulative effect of near-daily explosions has created a growing sense of anxiety among both officials and Iranian citizens more broadly, regardless of whether some incidents were genuine accidents. "The Iranian government's long record of cover-ups and lack of transparency, along with its vague responses, have only deepened public fear and suspicion," said Omid Memarian, an Iran expert at DAWN, a Washington-based foreign policy research institute. "People are aware the regime often downplays or denies Israeli attacks."

Without public acknowledgment of what many Iranian residents perceive as coordinated attacks, some citizens have questioned whether the war truly ended. "A lot of us think that it is Israel's doing and that war is going to start again," said Mohammed, who runs a cafe and art gallery in Kashan. He requested anonymity over fears of repercussions for speaking to foreign news media, adding that he felt "scared and paranoid," particularly because Kashan is located near nuclear sites and missile bases.

Mahdi Mohammadi, a conservative politician and senior advisor to Iran's head of Parliament, described the situation with Israel as unpredictable. "If anyone thinks we are dealing with linear events that we can predict, they are naïve," Mohammadi said in one of his regular recorded speeches distributed on Telegram. "We are not even in a ceasefire now; we are in a fragile suspension, and any minute it can end, and we are back at war."

Many Iranians have also questioned the circumstances surrounding the death last week of Brig. Gen. Gholamhossein Gheybparvar, a deputy commander of the Revolutionary Guards who oversaw a Tehran military base responsible for crackdowns on women-led protests in 2021. According to a state media announcement, he died from complications related to chemical weapons injuries sustained during Iran's 1980s war with Iraq, which had flared up amid stress from the recent conflict with Israel.

Officials have attempted various approaches to address public anxieties about the ongoing incidents. The national gas company released statistics arguing there was no notable increase in explosions from gas leaks this year compared to last year's figures. The Tehran City Council invited the gas company and ministry of energy to present reports regarding "recent measures and developments," describing the discussion as addressing the situation under "normal circumstances."

To cope with mounting stress, many Iranians have turned to dark humor on social media, sharing photoshopped images of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wearing the uniform of Iran's national gas company.

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