Senior Iranian military leaders have issued stern warnings to the United States, pledging a “decisive response” to the recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. In a video released by Iranian media, Commander-in-Chief Amir Hatami addressed fellow officers in an operations room, emphasizing that past “crimes” committed by the US against Iran have consistently been met with a resolute response. “Every time the US has committed crimes against Iran in the past, they received a decisive response, and this time it will be the same,” Hatami asserted.
Similarly, the Iranian army’s Chief of Staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, released a statement warning that the US actions have opened the door for Iranian forces to take “any action” against US troops.
Mousavi underscored Iran’s unwavering stance, stating, “We will never back down.” This sentiment echoes previous warnings from Iranian officials, including Hossein Salami, chief of the Revolutionary Guards, who emphasized that Iran will respond to any threat from the United States.
The threats come amid escalating tensions between Iran and the US, following the US-led airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The US has maintained that its actions were necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, while Iran has vehemently denied such ambitions, insisting its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
As the situation continues to unfold, the international community remains on high alert, with many nations urging restraint and diplomacy to prevent further escalation. The Iranian military’s vows of a decisive response underscore the complexity and volatility of the conflict, highlighting the potential for significant repercussions in the region.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have also vowed a “decisive” reaction to any attack, with Hossein Salami dismissing US warnings in a televised speech, saying, “Iran will not wage war, but if anyone threatens, it will give appropriate, decisive and conclusive responses”. This stance is consistent with Iran’s historical response to perceived threats, including its retaliation against the US after the 2020 drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force.