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A general view of Tehran on June 22, 2025. /VCG
As tensions mount following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, CGTN on Sunday conducted a written interview with Mehdi Latifi, a political and international affairs journalist and analyst from Iran, for insight into conditions on the ground and Iran's response.
Latifi currently serves as the editor-in-chief for several prominent news agencies in Iran, including Azad News Agency.
According to Latifi, daily life in many Iranian cities remains relatively stable, with limited disruptions to infrastructure and a strong sense of public resilience. He condemned the strikes as violations of international law, citing the bombing of hospitals and the reported assassination of scientists as part of a broader campaign against Iran's scientific and technological progress.
Calling the attacks a betrayal of ongoing negotiations, Latifi said the Iranian public has lost all trust in U.S. diplomacy, and warned that the window for peaceful resolution is rapidly closing due to the U.S.' strike.
The following is an excerpt from the interview:
CGTN: Since the June 13 strikes, how has daily life unfolded in Tehran and other cities? Are civilians largely sheltering in place, or has routine life resumed in any form?
Latifi: In Iran, people, having experienced the eight-year Iran-Iraq war, are relatively prepared for every vicious action by the U.S. and Israel and have managed to maintain a somewhat normal routine. Many continue with their daily activities and work, and while a significant number are staying in their homes at nights, widespread sheltering is not the norm. The government has also taken necessary measures, implementing security and protective protocols to manage the situation. Therefore, while a relative calm is maintained, there is readiness to respond to any threats.
One notable aspect is the increased solidarity and unity among the people, which is contrary to the Israeli regime's expectations. Instead of fragmentation, there is more social support and awareness. Overall, life is going on under these unusual circumstances, with people trying to maintain their spirits and cope with the situation.
CGTN: What is the current condition of critical infrastructure – such as electricity, internet and public services – in areas impacted by the strikes? What are you seeing on the ground?
Latifi: All these infrastructures are currently in good condition if not being targeted in coming days. The government has managed to control energy and fuel supplies, and the people are cooperating sufficiently with the authorities to manage the situation. I should also mention that this morning, the U.S. bombed Iran's nuclear facilities, which is a clear violation of international law and the NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons). However, those sites had already been evacuated in advance.
Additionally, Israel had previously targeted hospitals, especially in Kermanshah and Tehran, and some medical centers have been hit. Media outlets have been covering these incidents, and Iran has been invited to share information on these attacks.
The internet is generally in a good state at the moment. Although there were some restrictions in certain areas due to Israeli spies' infiltration, those issues have now been resolved, and internet access is almost available nationwide. Of course there might be some restrictions in some areas in coming days.
Certainly, what has happened in Iran constitutes a war crime – targeting civilian infrastructure and scientists – and represents a serious violation of international laws.
CGTN: Do you still see a path for diplomacy to bring this conflict back from the brink, or has escalation closed that window?
Latifi: The people of Iran have never been optimistic about diplomacy with the United States from the very beginning. The experience with the JCPOA (nuclear deal) and the years that followed did not create a positive mindset for the people. However, Iran once again entered negotiations to demonstrate its goodwill. What was the result? The U.S., with Israel's cooperation, bombed Iran's sensitive and critical nuclear sites in the middle of the talks. This is the reality of American diplomacy.
Even before the U.S. air strikes on Iran's nuclear sites last night, Iran was still engaged in negotiations with European countries. I urge people around the world to judge for themselves. I ask intellectuals, analysts, and even politicians to assess where such actions align with the principles of diplomacy.
There is absolutely no trust among the Iranian people towards the U.S., especially towards figures like Trump. Given this background and the aggressive actions taken, the window for genuine diplomacy has, regrettably, been almost entirely closed.
CGTN: Israel claimed to have killed multiple Iranian nuclear scientists. Among them was Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, president of Islamic Azad University, the institution that founded your news agency. Do you believe Dr. Tehranchi was specifically targeted for his connection to Iran's nuclear program? And on a more personal note, how is his loss resonating in your community? What do you think the international community needs to understand about the human toll of this conflict?
Latifi: Dr. Tehranchi was not a nuclear scientist and was not involved in any activities related to nuclear energy. He specialized in magnetism and electromagnetism and was a physics professor at Shahid Beheshti University. However, he played a very influential and pioneering role in advancing Iran's programs in modern sciences. His work brought Iran closer to scientific progress and independence, and he trained many scientists in these fields.
Not only Dr. Tehranchi, but many other scientists who have been assassinated by Israel in Iran in recent years were involved in modern sciences, and some were even engaged in medical research.
Losing these scientists is certainly not the end of the road. They have trained thousands of other scientists, many of whom arguably surpass them. The people are more determined than ever to continue the path of these scientists. Knowledge cannot be destroyed by bombs; it lives on in the hearts of the Iranian people and will be passed from generation to generation.
The international community needs to understand that the conflict is not just a military confrontation, but a war on science, knowledge and the future of a nation.
As a journalist, I urge people around the world to read the stories of the people in Iran and to seek the truth for themselves. The world must know that what has been targeted in Iran is not nuclear energy, but the struggle for freedom, independence and progress. Israel has targeted this with the active support of some Western countries, especially the United States.