In comments in a gathering of university students on Friday morning, the IRGC commander derided the threat of military strike against the Islamic Republic as “empty and idle”.
“In the fortieth anniversary of (victory of) the Islamic Revolution, the threats and sanctions by the enemies have reached their peak, but the only threat they would not carry out is the military threat,” Major General Jafari added.
He also warned the enemies against the “heavy costs” they will have to pay in case of taking military action on Iran, saying such offensive would upset their “soft war” plot against the Islamic Republic.
Denouncing the enemies’ plan to foment discord between the Iranian people and authorities, the general said such hostile attempts are doomed to failure like the past.
In remarks on Thursday, IRGC Quds Force Commander Major General Qassem Soleimani shrugged off US President Donald Trump’s recent threats against Iran, saying if the US were to begin a war, it would be Iran that would finish it.
On Sunday, Trump threatened Iran of severe “consequences” after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivered a speech warning the US that any confrontation would lead to the “mother of all wars”.
The Iranian president cautioned Trump about pursuing hostile policies against Tehran, saying, “Peace with Iran is the mother of all peace and war with Iran is the mother of all wars.”
“Mr. Trump! Do not play with the lion’s tail, (because) you’ll regret it. You are unable to provoke the Iranian nation against Iran’s security and interests,” Rouhani said.
The Trump administration has launched an offensive of speeches and online communications meant to foment unrest inside Iran and support anti-Iranian groups, US officials familiar with the matter said.
During a recent visit to Austria, Rouhani pledged that Tehran will stand firm against the US threat to halt Iranian oil shipments, saying no other country in the region could export oil if Iran is to be deprived of oil exports.
A number of top Iranian military officials supported the idea afterwards, saying Iran has the ability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz if necessary.
