The people of Iran are united more than before to support their government after the attacks from the U.S. Air Force, according to Foad Izadi, a professor from the University of Tehran. Izadi called the U.S. attacks of the Iranian nuclear sites on June 22 a "surprise" on the negotiation table. "They called [it] the Operation Midnight Hammer. What the United States has done is the U.S. has taken the hammer and smashed the negotiation table. You don't attack the other side in surprise in the middle of negotiations. This is what happened to Iran," he said. The U.S. Air Force on June 22 bombed three Iranian nuclear sites of Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan after Iran and Israel exchanged several rounds of airstrikes since June 13. In retaliation, Iran attacked the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar with missiles on June 23. Following Iran's attack, Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel starting on Tuesday, which was later confirmed by the two sides. By attacking Iran, the United States wants to beef up its military presence in the Middle East, Izadi said. "One of the aims of the United States is take control of the Middle East. That's why they're fighting Iran. They feel that they're competing with Iran. They want to remove the Iranian government. They want to break up Iran, and they want to complete their hold in the Middle East," he said. Following the U.S. attack on June 22, crowds of Iranians gathered at the Enqelab Square in central Tehran to protest against the Israeli and U.S. attacks and show their resolve to defend their country. Izadi said Iranians are united more than before. "Iranians are actually supporting the government more than what they used to. The people who did not agree with the government realize that their country is under attack. [They] realized that Iran's government was negotiating, realized that they attacked Iran surprisingly in the middle of negotiations. This is the first time since the 1979 revolution that the people of Iran are so united," Izadi said. The video shows: Beijing, China - June 22, 2025 1. Map showing Iran's nuclear sites FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Oct 2024 2. Various of White House, U.S national flag Tehran, Iran - June 23, 2025 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Foad Izadi, professor, University of Tehran: "They called [it] the Operation Midnight Hammer. What the United States has done is the U.S. has taken the hammer and smashed the negotiation table. You don't attack the other side in surprise in the middle of negotiations. This is what happened to Iran." Tehran, Iran - June 25, 2025 4. Various of damaged office building of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Tehran, Iran - June 23, 2025 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Foad Izadi, professor, University of Tehran: "One of the aims of the United States is take control of the Middle East. That's why they're fighting Iran. They feel that they're competing with Iran. They want to remove the Iranian government. They want to break up Iran, and they want to complete their hold in the Middle East." Tehran, Iran - June 23, 2025 6. Various of damaged buildings after Israeli airstrikes Tehran, Iran - June 23, 2025 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Foad Izadi, professor, University of Tehran (ending with shot 8): "Iranians are actually supporting the government more than what they used to. The people who did not agree with the government realize that their country is under attack. [They] realized that Iran's government was negotiating, realized that they attacked Iran surprisingly in the middle of negotiations. This is the first time since the 1979 revolution that the people of Iran are so united.” Tehran, Iran - June 22, 2025 8. Various of Iranians rallying to support government [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV]