Why it matters:
The remarks highlight the escalating war of words and heightened tensions in the region, focusing on the use of psychological and cognitive warfare as a primary tool to exert pressure alongside military posturing.
The big picture:
This comes amid reports of US military asset movements in the region and media speculation about a potential wider conflict. The Iranian minister characterizes the current confrontation not just as a potential military clash but as a hybrid war where cognitive and economic stability serve as critical battlegrounds.
What he is saying:
Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh said repeated warnings of an attack are part of a psychological campaign aimed at stoking inflation and destabilizing the economy. He urged the public to recognize this "cognitive war," while affirming that the military is fully prepared to defend the nation if a war is imposed.
"They keep saying an attack will happen, an attack will happen... They want to create problems for society, increase inflation, and disrupt economic stability. This is part of the same war. The people should be mindful of this cognitive war."
"If a war is imposed on us, it is our duty, the military, to defend, and we have complete readiness for it."
"The work they do in transportation, bringing and taking away ships, it's not the first time. We have seen it regularly over the past decades."
"As a military sector, we must be ready to defend the country. This is a principle and is not related to military movements."
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