The commander-in-chief of Iran’s armed forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, said Iran’s strategy had previously been aimed at preventing escalation, but that “US behavior has changed our approach.” “If they make a mistake this time, we will inflict heavy losses on them, because our armed forces are determined to confront the force that carries out intimidation to the end,” Mousavi said.
Sources close to the regime in Tehran say Iran has adjusted its military doctrine towards the US, moving from largely symbolic responses to a strategy that would impose real costs on US forces and interests in the event of a conflict. However, they emphasize that Tehran still does not seek war, and hopes that the negotiations in Geneva could pave the way for a new nuclear agreement that would prevent an American attack.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said any US attack would be met with a “fierce” response. “There is no such thing as a limited attack,” he said.
Analysts point to a military imbalance, given the deployment of the largest US force in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. However, Iranian officials believe that ballistic missiles and drones can soften the enemy’s advantage. Special attention was paid to the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route through which much of the global oil trade passes, and which Iran previously temporarily blocked during military exercises.
After the US killed General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad in 2020, Iran responded with a missile attack on the US base in Iraq. Hamzeh Safavi, the son of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s military adviser, said Iran would respond this time by “inflicting real costs” and would not discriminate between the US and Israel in any retaliation.
President Donald Trump has accused Iran of “sinister ambitions” and warned that Iranian missiles threaten US bases. Iranian leaders, on the other hand, emphasize that their nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and that they will not agree to separate US demands to limit the ballistic missile program or reduce support for armed groups opposed to Israel.
(Vijesti.ba)
