Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, issued a bold and defiant statement Tuesday regarding Iran’s military’s stand against any acts of aggression during recent confrontations, underlining Iran’s readiness to protect its sovereignty regardless of any costs involved.
General Bagheri made his remarks at a high-level military ceremony in Tehran, during which he addressed senior commanders, defense analysts, and press. These comments came at a time of rising regional tensions – particularly around the Persian Gulf and Red Sea where clashes involving Iran-aligned groups have escalated in recent weeks.
“Iran’s Armed Forces have demonstrated, once more, that any act of hostility or threat will be met with swift and decisive retaliation,” stated General Bagheri. Our units stood steadfast in their fight against aggressors on land, sea and air without leaving room for miscalculation or missteps to make decisions without misjudgments.
While he did not specify the nature of recent hostilities, his statement can be taken as an indirect response to recent airstrikes allegedly carried out by Israeli and U.S. forces against Iranian assets located in Syria and Iraq. Iran officials have accused Western powers of violating international law and sovereignty with these attacks being unprovoked and designed to destabilize the region.
General Bagheri applauded Iran’s air defense systems and navy for their swift responses during attempted incursions near Iranian territorial waters in the Strait of Hormuz. Naval forces prevented intrusions, closely monitored hostile activity, and prevented intrusions – with this capability, we are capable of safeguarding this vital waterway not just for our nation but for regional commerce as well, according to him.
Iran’s Armed Forces recently conducted large-scale drills across different provinces to demonstrate missile capabilities, unmanned aerial operations and rapid deployment logistics. Analysts believed these exercises served both as deterrence and signaled strategic readiness – acting both as deterrents and statements from Bagheri which aim to reinforce Iran’s military strength as negotiations over nuclear and regional issues take place behind closed doors.
Bagheri also addressed Iranian citizens during his address, providing assurance of his military’s strength and resolve in defense of Iran from enemies powerful enough to test it repeatedly but fail. “No matter their power or intentions,” Bagheri declared, “they cannot shake our resolve; our troops remain united, prepared, and dedicated to safeguarding their homeland.
The Iranian general’s remarks have drawn mixed international reactions. Iranian state media hailed them as an affirmation of national pride and deterrence while Western observers cautioned that such rhetoric could heighten tensions further, especially given fragile diplomatic engagements such as Vienna and Doha.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has called upon all sides to avoid actions which might “flavor an already volatile region”. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stressed the significance of de-escalation and respecting international boundaries.
Iran continues to expand its regional influence and General Bagheri’s statements reflect this with his hardened stance towards Iran and a harder line taken against General Khamenei of Hezbollah. With tensions growing but no formal resolution in sight, tensions may build within Iran and test both their military posture and diplomatic efforts within international circles in coming weeks.