Ismail Saghab Isfahani, deputy to the president of the Islamic Republic government, referring to the early days of the war, said: “On Saturday when they hit the Leader, Wednesday the cabinet session was held. We were discussing artificial intelligence. Iraqchi said that we are surrounded all around and they will probably strike. Pezeshkian said: let them strike, [I] don’t care.”

The head of the Optimization and Strategic Management Organization of Energy said: “During the days of the war, we held sessions with everyone who is in the government—reformist or principlist. I told my political colleagues: so why didn’t any of them leave? Why did all of them stand by during the war?”