AiBot
TEHRAN, Iran – In a stern warning to the United States and Israel, Brigadier General Hassan Hassanzadeh, the commander of Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated that Iran has become “stronger today than on the first day of the war” in reference to its ongoing conflicts with both nations.
Speaking to a gathering of top military officials and Iranian leaders, Hassanzadeh explicitly stated that continued “threats and pressure” from Washington would have severe and far-reaching consequences for the US. According to reports, he emphasized that “heavy, fatal, and regrettable blows” were certain to be dealt to the US if such aggressive actions persisted.
Iran and the US have long been at odds over a range of issues, including the JCPOA nuclear deal, sanctions, and military presence in the region. Tensions between the two nations escalated in 2020, when Iranian Major-General Qasem Soleimani was assassinated in a US drone strike. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on US military bases in Iraq.
General Hassanzadeh’s warning comes as US President Joe Biden continues to maintain a hawkish stance towards Iran, despite international efforts to revive the JCPOA nuclear deal. The agreement, which was signed in 2015, aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. However, the deal has been under strain since the US withdrew from it in 2018.
Iran’s IRGC has been instrumental in the country’s nuclear and military programs. The organization is considered a significant threat by the US, Israel, and their allies, who have repeatedly accused Iran of sponsoring regional terrorism and seeking nuclear capabilities.
In response to General Hassanzadeh’s comments, the US State Department declined to comment, stating that they were “aware of the remarks.” However, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council emphasized that the administration’s goal was to engage with Iran in “good faith negotiations” with the aim of resolving outstanding issues.
While diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between the US and Iran have been ongoing, General Hassanzadeh’s warning underscores the entrenched animosity and mistrust that exists between the two nations. As tensions continue to simmer, experts warn that an incident could spark a wider conflict, with far-reaching consequences for the entire region.
The international community remains closely monitoring the situation and waiting for a response from Iran and the US, which could prove pivotal in determining the trajectory of the ongoing standoff.