Iran vows to 'complete destruction of the Zionist regime' as world marks three years since October 7

From the Newshound archive · first published 8 October 2026.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps celebrated the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre by declaring the Hamas attack "the beginning of the end of Zionism" and vowing to continue until "the complete destruction of the occupying Zionist regime." State broadcaster Radio Tehran called the slaughter "the first phase of the total elimination of Israel," promising the Islamic Republic would "do anything to make it happen." Across Israel, flags flew at half-staff, survivors gathered at Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and families of the 1,200 killed held vigils — while protesters outside the Knesset demanded Netanyahu face accountability for the security failures that allowed the attack.

Omer Neutra's parents marked the anniversary mourning their son for the first time at his graveside, having spent 421 days believing he was still alive as a Hamas hostage.

In Kfar Aza, community leader Zion Regev said most residents remain displaced three years on, with the trauma of October 7 still shaping daily life.

Iran's celebrations drew internal criticism too, with some Iranians pointing to the deaths of senior Hamas, Hezbollah and Iranian figures as proof the 'Axis of Resistance' has suffered severe setbacks since the attack.