A fragile ceasefire has held since last Tuesday between Iran and Israel, ending 12 days of intense clashes that severely damaged Tehran, Iran’s capital. According to the city’s governor, more than 120 homes were completely destroyed, and over 500 others suffered significant damage, affecting thousands of families.

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Iranian authorities report 606 deaths and over 5,300 injured nationwide. However, the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group estimates that Israeli strikes caused at least 1,054 deaths and 4,476 injuries. Israel confirmed 28 of its citizens were killed, with more than a thousand injured.

With missile, drone, and bombing attacks halted, residents in Tehran are beginning to return to normal life. The Iranian government, however, maintains it will not abandon its nuclear program—a key issue in the ongoing tension with Tel Aviv.

In his first public appearance since the conflict began, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared his country “victorious” and said Iran had “delivered a slap in the face to America.” In a state television broadcast, Khamenei accused Washington of intervening to prevent the “Zionist regime” from being completely destroyed but said the United States “gained nothing from this war.”

Khamenei also referenced an Iranian missile attack on a U.S. base in Qatar—an attack that caused no casualties—as part of Iran’s response. The Supreme Leader, who had remained in a secret location since the war broke out on June 13, reemerged following the ceasefire negotiated with U.S. support.

The conflict, centered around strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and high-ranking military officials, has left a deep humanitarian and political impact. The international community continues to watch cautiously as peace negotiations unfold.

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