[News] Jews of Isfahan, Iran decry Israeli strikes, back Iran's response

[Anti-Imperialist News]

english.almayadeen.net
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/jews-of-isfahan-decry-israeli-strikes--back-iran-s-response>
Jews of Isfahan decry Israeli strikes, back Iran's response
Al Mayadeen English
June 16, 2025
------------------------------

As Israeli aggression against Iran escalates, the Jewish community of
Isfahan publicly condemned the strikes, expressed solidarity with Iranian
victims, supported the state's right to respond, and reaffirmed its rooted
national identity as part of Iran’s officially recognized and protected
Jewish minority.

   - [image: AP]
   <https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2025/6/16/ea893ef6-f741-4899-9bec-964792c279ff.jpg?width=1000>
   In this Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 photo, an Iranian Jewish man holds a Torah
   scroll at the Molla Agha Baba Synagogue, in the city of Yazd 420 miles (676
   kilometers) south of capital Tehran, Iran  (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

The Jewish community of Isfahan on Monday spoke out against recent Israeli
military aggression targeting Iran, expressing sorrow over civilian
casualties and voicing support for the Iranian government's anticipated
response, according to a report by *IRNA*.

"The Zionists' brutality, which is far from any human morality
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/katz-outright-threatens-tehran-civilians--says-they-ll--pay>
and has caused the martyrdom of a number of our beloved compatriots,
including innocent children, has hurt all of our hearts," the statement
read.

The community further expressed confidence in the Iranian state's ability
to respond forcefully: "We are confident that the Islamic Republic of Iran,
proud and honorable, will give a crushing and regretful response to the
Zionist regime and will make it regret its shameful actions."
Protected Minority

The Islamic Republic has long maintained a formal recognition of the Jewish
community as a protected religious minority, with guaranteed parliamentary
representation in the Iranian Majles.

Iran is also home to the largest Jewish population in the Middle East
outside of "Israel." The government funds Jewish schools, synagogues, and
community centers, and has consistently condemned anti-Semitism while
distinguishing it from anti-Zionism.

Prominent Jewish leaders in Iran have often reaffirmed that their loyalty
lies with their country, not with "Israel," and many Jewish Iranians openly
criticize Israeli policies without fear of persecution.

*IRNA *reports that approximately 3,000 Jews currently reside in Iran, with
Isfahan home to around 1,200 and 16 active synagogues. External estimates
suggest the total Jewish population may be closer to 8,500, mainly
concentrated in Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz. Prior to the 1979 Islamic
Revolution, the country was home to a Jewish population nearing 100,000.

*Read more: 'Israel' bombs Iranian hospital, escalating civilian targeting
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/-israel--bombs-iranian-hospital--escalating-civilian-targeti>*

On June 13, "Israel" launched a large-scale and unprovoked aerial assault
on Iran, striking over 250 locations across the country, including nuclear
sites, IRGC bases, energy infrastructure, and densely populated areas in
Tehran and Isfahan.

The attack killed several hundred people, among them senior military
officials, nuclear scientists, and civilians, including women and children.
In response, Iran initiated Operation True Promise III
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iranian-missiles-impact-israeli-sites-in-tel-aviv-in-2nd-wav>,
unleashing successive waves of ballistic missiles and drones that struck
targets in major Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, and occupied
al-Quds, causing dozens of deaths and widespread damage.

While Israeli officials claimed success in degrading Iran's military
capabilities, Iran's counterstrikes inflicted unprecedented losses,
revealing vulnerabilities in "Israel's" defense systems.

The confrontation has escalated into the most intense direct conflict
between the two parties to date, prompting global concern over regional
destabilization and calls for urgent de-escalation.
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