As global tensions spike following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Iranian journalist Mehdi Latifi offers a ground-level view of resilience, shattered diplomacy, and a nation’s fight to protect its scientific future. In an exclusive interview with CGTN, Latifi—editor-in-chief of Azad News Agency—reveals how civilians are adapting, why trust in U.S. diplomacy has collapsed, and the human cost of targeting scientists.
Life Amid Strikes: “Normalcy With Vigilance”
Despite nightly curfews and security protocols, Latifi describes Iranian cities as “functioning under unusual calm.” Drawing parallels to the Iran-Iraq war, he notes, “People maintain daily routines—work, family, solidarity. This isn’t sheltering; it’s defiance.” Internet and critical infrastructure remain operational, though hospitals in Kermanshah and Tehran faced direct attacks labeled “war crimes.”
Science Under Fire 🔬💔
The assassination of Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi—a physics professor—highlights what Latifi calls a “war on knowledge.” “Dr. Tehranchi wasn’t a nuclear scientist,” he clarifies. “His crime? Advancing Iran’s modern sciences.” Over 20 scientists have been killed since 2020, many in medical and tech fields. Yet Latifi insists: “Bombs can’t erase knowledge. Their legacy lives in thousands they trained.”
Diplomacy in Freefall 🕊️❌
With nuclear talks ongoing during the strikes, Latifi argues U.S. actions “betrayed any goodwill.” Iranians, he says, now see diplomacy as “a trap,” citing Trump-era JCPOA withdrawals and recent attacks. “The window for peace is nearly shut,” he warns, urging global audiences to “read beyond headlines—this isn’t just about nukes. It’s about crushing a nation’s progress.”
