In a message posted on his X account on Thursday, Qalibaf stressed that Iran does not seek war but will firmly defend itself if attacked. He said that when the country’s defense is at stake, all Iranians stand ready to act as soldiers.

He pointed to the rapid formation of a powerful nationwide campaign within less than a week, involving around seven million people who have declared their readiness to take up arms in defense of the country.

Qalibaf underscored that Iranians are not merely rhetorical about defending their homeland, stating that they have previously sacrificed their lives and remain prepared to do so again.

He warned that any attack on Iran would be met with a collective response, likening it to confronting an entire family, and emphasized that the nation stands ready, armed, and resolute.

The US and the Israeli regime launched a large-scale unprovoked military campaign against Iran following the assassination of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, along with several senior military commanders and civilians on February 28.

The attacks have involved extensive aerial strikes on both military and civilian locations across Iran, causing significant casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure.

In response, the Iranian Armed Forces have carried out retaliatory operations, targeting American and Israeli positions in the occupied territories and at regional bases with waves of missiles and drones.