Iran doubts Israel’s truce compliance; warns of response: Top general
Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces said on Sunday that Tehran has doubts about Israel’s commitment to a US-proposed unilateral cease-fire that ended their 12-day conflict, warning that the country’s Armed Forces are ready to respond forcefully to any new aggression by the regime.
Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi said in a phone call with his Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman that Iran did not start the war but responded with full might.
The most serious escalation to date between the two sides erupted on June 13, when Israel launched a bombing campaign in Iran that killed more than 600 people including civilians, top military commanders and nuclear scientists.
The fighting derailed nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, a staunch ally of Israel's.
"We did not start the war, but we have responded to the aggressor with all our power," Mousavi said, six days into the cease-fire unilaterally announced by US President Donald Trump.
The United States joined the Israel aggression by carrying out strikes on the three Iranian nuclear facilities of Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
According to Iran's Health Ministry, at least 627 civilians were killed and 4,900 injured during the 12-day Israel’s onslaught against Iran.
In response, Iranian Armed Forces targeted Israel’s military sites with a barrage of advanced missiles, which pierced through Israel’s once-vaunted multilayered defense system. Retaliatory attacks by Iran on Israel killed 28 people, according to Israeli authorities.
The regime and the US invaded Iranian territory despite the restraint shown by the Islamic Republic, while indirect negotiations with the United States were underway, Mousavi said.
“These two regimes have shown that they do not adhere to any international rules and norms, and this was proven to the world in the imposed 12-day war,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps’ Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters in a statement said that Iran’s Amed Forces are monitoring the enemy’s movements and are fully prepared to confront any aggression.
Hossein Hassani Sa’di said that the country’s Armed Forces will not hesitate for a moment to defend Iran’s territorial integrity.
The Iranian nation proved to the enemy that in the face of any bullying and aggression it becomes more united and disappoints its enemies, he said in the statement.