TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The ceasefire between Iran and Israel kicked off on Tuesday, June 24, but the battle of narratives between the two persists, as both claimed victory over the 12-day clash.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his video statement, declared "historic victory" over Iran, stating that Israel's attacks successfully destroyed two threats at once: Iran's nuclear program and Tehran's 20,000 ballistic missiles development project.
Netanyahu said in his speech on Tuesday, June 24, as quoted by CNN, that "We have thwarted Iran's nuclear project. And if anyone in Iran tries to rebuild it, we will act with the same determination, with the same intensity, to foil any attempt."
He also thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his support, including the attack on Iran's Fordo nuclear facility.
On the other hand, Iran also claimed victory over the war, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian calling the conflict a war imposed by the "foolishness of the Zionist regime." He claimed the ceasefire came upon Iran's decision after the enemy suffered "unimaginable losses."
In their official statement, as quoted by Al Jazeera, Iran's Supreme National Security Council described the outcome of the conflict as a firm political and military victory and underscored the success in shattering the myth of Iron Dome's impenetrable shield through a rain of Iranian missiles into Israel.
Trump initiated the ceasefire talks, after bombing three nuclear facilities, which iran retaliated by attacking a U.S. airbase in Qatar.
Analysts' Comments on Claiming Victory
Middle East analyst from George Washington University, Sina Azodi, reckoned the two countries' battle of "victory" claims was more of a tool for domestic political propaganda rather than a reflection of the military reality on the ground.
As quoted by Al Jazeera, Israel did indeed manage to disable some of Iran's military infrastructure and reduce Tehran's missile capabilities. However, Israel's main goal to completely destroy Iran's nuclear program was not achieved. "He (Netanyahu) may have achieved and can claim some short-term victory, but in the long-term, I don’t think his leadership serves Israel’s interests," said Azodi. Moreover, there was no regime change in Iran following Israeli attacks.
From Iran's perspective, he said, the claim of victory emerged from the fact that they were able to force the country with the most military power in the region—the only one with nuclear weapons—to agree to a ceasefire. Azodi assessed that this narrative is effective domestically, showing that they still stand tall in the face of pressure from Israel and the United States.
The situation that occurred during the ceasefire shows how the conflict in the Middle East not only takes place on the physical battlefield, but also in the battlefield of narratives and public opinion. When weapons are temporarily put down, the war of perceptions continues.
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