TEHRAN, Iran – CNN’s senior international correspondent Fred Pleitgen became the first Western journalist to report from Tehran as the conflict between Iran and Israel reached its climax. He reported from the streets to the IRGC’s military base, giving us a rare and valuable view of Iran’s inside.
1. Military strength and self-reliance
Pleitgen visited a base of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), where Iran showed off its own drones and missile systems. He said these were developed as the country seeks to increase its military capabilities despite global sanctions
2. Message of ‘cautious’ attack
Iranian officials said the recent missile and drone attacks were part of strategic ‘self-defense’. However, they also admitted that next time they could use more advanced weapons, without warning.
3. Tehran’s silent apprehension
There is an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among the common people on the street. Many Iranians said they are worried that the confrontation may soon take a bigger form.
4. Strong government stance
The Iranian leadership – the president, foreign minister, and military officials – is united in promoting sentiment on the streets and universities. Protests were held at Tehran University with slogans of ‘Muslim unity’ and ‘support Gaza’.
5. Realities of Tehran – Hospitality and Tensions
According to Pleitgen, Iranian citizens are extremely hospitable. He also praised Tehran’s urban decor and food. But at the same time, the country is also overshadowed by major geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Global perspective
This report makes clear that the Iran-Israel dynamic is not just a conflict between two countries, but part of broader instability and a larger geopolitical game in the Middle East. Pleitgen’s first-hand perspective shows how subtle strategic decisions between Israel, the US, and Iran can have a tsunami-like effect across the region.
