National Cohesion During the 12-Day Iran–Israel War

The 12-Day Iran–Israel War (13–24 June 2025) was one of the most unprecedented direct confrontations between the two sides. Initiated by Israel’s direct attack on Iranian territory, the conflict targeted Iran’s national security and territorial sovereignty and became a vital concern for Iranian society. This study asks what role the war played in the formation and strengthening of national consensus in Iran and which factors were most significant in this process. It hypothesizes that the shared external threat, the revival of memories of the Iran–Iraq War, the dominant discourse of resistance, and the active participation of citizens, particularly younger generations and Generation Z, contributed to social cohesion. This cohesion was not merely the product of state policies but also resulted from voluntary public action alongside official institutions. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical method and draws on official documents, media reports, and social reactions. Its theoretical framework is based on the concepts of social capital and civic solidarity, allowing for an integrated analysis of the roles of governmental institutions, shared historical memory, and voluntary participation. The findings indicate that the war activated new capacities for social capital and national consensus and demonstrated that social cohesion can serve as a strategic asset. The study concludes that security, economic, and social policies should be designed to strengthen national cohesion during future crises.