Iran’s top military brass vows crushing response to ‘enemy’s mistake’
Iran’s top military command assured Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei that the country’s Armed Forces are fully prepared to confront any “strategic mistake” or aggression by the “American-Zionist enemy.”
According to a Sunday statement by the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, met with Ayatollah Khamenei and presented a report on the readiness of Iran’s Armed Forces, including the Army, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), law enforcement and border forces, the Defense Ministry, and Basij volunteer forces.
Abdollahi said “all fighters of Islam” possess high readiness in terms of morale, defensive and offensive preparedness, strategic plans, and the equipment and weaponry required to confront hostile actions by the “American-Zionist enemies.”
He warned that if the enemies commit any “strategic mistake, aggression, or invasion,” Iranian forces would respond “swiftly, intensely, and powerfully.”
During the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei praised the country’s military and issued new directives for continuing action and confronting enemies decisively following the 40-day US-Israeli war against the country.
The unprovoked US-Israeli war on February 28 touched off days of bombing of Iran’s military and civilian infrastructure, intended to bring down the Islamic Republic.
Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces, Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, said on Sunday that the country’s Armed Forces have the upper hand in the region, despite US acts of aggression and mischief.
“Despite the United States’ provocations, thankfully the initiative remains in the hands of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the combat capabilities of Iran’s fighters are at a very high level,” Shekarchi said.
He also warned certain regional countries about the adverse consequences of siding with the "fascist" US military.
Warning to regional countries
"Any county which takes action against Iran will face a decisive response from our country's Armed Forces," the general pointed out.
The remarks were also echoed by the commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force.
Brigadier General Majid Mousavi said the force’s missiles and drones have been locked onto enemy targets and are awaiting the order to fire.
“The (IRGC) Aerospace Force’s missiles and drones have been locked onto American targets in the region and the vessels of the aggressor enemy," Mousavi said in a message released on Saturday night.
Despite a ceasefire in place since April 8, the US military has repeatedly violated the agreement. In the latest of such violations, the US struck two Iranian oil tankers near the port of Jask and the Strait of Hormuz, and carried out assaults on several coastal areas overlooking the strategic waterway on May 7-8, which were met with a powerful response from Iran.
Moreover, Army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia warned that countries complying with US sanctions against Iran will “certainly face problems” in passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz to enemies and their allies following the launch of the US-Israeli aggression.
It began exercising far stricter controls last month after US President Donald Trump announced an illegal blockade of Iranian vessels and ports in violation of the terms of a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire.
Akraminia said the Americans tried to break Iran's control on the Strait of Hormuz by escorting destroyers and ships, but they encountered the Iranian Armed Forces, whose strong resistance led Trump to abandon his military campaign to reopen the waterway.
Akraminia also warned that other surprising options await the enemy if it makes a new miscalculation and attacks Iran again.