Key facts
- Ultra-conservatives in Iran celebrated missile attacks on US warships.
- The Hamshahri daily warned that US vessels are increasingly exposed to Iranian missiles.
- The Qods daily stated that Iranian forces would no longer target only commercial vessels.
- Survivors of a US strike on a wedding in southern Iran reported a lack of medical facilities.
- Iran Human Rights reported 82 executions in August, including six women.
- Former President Hassan Rouhani suggested a public vote on Iran's confrontation with the US.
Ultra-conservative factions within Iran have celebrated missile attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeting an American aircraft carrier and a destroyer, viewing the escalation as a victory. Despite official reports indicating the attacks were repelled, confirmation from US Central Command prompted celebrations among those supporting continued conflict with the US.
The Hamshahri daily praised the attack, describing it as a "warning" that could lead to further missile strikes if US military and economic pressures persist. The newspaper noted that US naval fleets are increasingly vulnerable in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Qods daily also lauded the strikes, with the headline "Warships in the Crosshairs of Missiles." It suggested that commercial vessels and oil tankers would no longer be the sole targets, indicating that US warships are now considered within the battlefield.
Separately, the Etemad daily reported on the plight of survivors from a US missile strike on a wedding in southern Iran on September 1. Ali Taheri, who lost his wife in the attack, highlighted the local clinic's lack of basic medical equipment, including oxygen, which he believes contributed to his wife's death. He emphasized the need to care for the living.
Behrouz Mallahi, another resident, pointed out the absence of emergency responders during the attack, forcing locals to transport the wounded themselves. Etemad also reported on the lack of psychological support, with Mallahi's daughter, Ayesha, expressing fear of returning home after being discharged from the hospital.
In a separate development, Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based group, reported that at least 82 people, including six women, were executed in Iran in August. Three of those executed had been arrested during protests in 2022 and January 2026. The group noted that the number of women executed in August was the highest monthly figure in 2026. Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights, stated that executed women are victims of both the death penalty and structural discrimination.
Former President Hassan Rouhani has ignited political debate by suggesting a public vote on Iran's strategic direction and its confrontation with the US. He proposed that if the people do not accept a prolonged conflict, their opinion should be heeded. This call has drawn sharp criticism from ultra-conservatives, including Hossein Shariatmadari of the Kayhan daily and lawmaker Mahmoud Nabavian, who accused Rouhani of promoting surrender and serving US interests.