Why it matters:
Admiral Tangsiri’s remarks come amid renewed U.S. threats against Iran, following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum for Tehran to reach a new nuclear agreement within two months or face military action.
The big picture:
Iran staged a naval parade in the Persian Gulf on the eve of the International Quds Day, demonstrating its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause. The event prominently showcased the Shahid Bagheri drone carrier, a newly commissioned 180-meter-long vessel equipped for UAV and helicopter operations.
Key points:
- Over 3,000 naval vessels, including high-speed attack boats and missile-launching ships, participated in the parade
What he's saying:
Speaking aboard Iran’s newly commissioned Shahid Bagheri drone carrier during a naval parade in the Persian Gulf, Tangsiri stated that Iran does not seek war but is fully prepared to retaliate.
“We will never initiate conflict, but if our Leader gives the order, we will strike in a way that the enemy never imagined,” he warned.
"Iran has developed advanced weaponry, including long-range missiles enhanced by artificial intelligence, to counter American military tactics."
“The enemy only sees a fraction of our capabilities; what they witness on the battlefield will be entirely different.”
“We will resist the U.S. bullying, and we are not afraid of death.”
Dismissing reports of U.S. spy drones operating over Iranian waters, he asserted, “We have never allowed, and will never allow, U.S. spy drones to enter our airspace.”
Context:
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has rejected direct talks with Washington, calling Trump’s offer to negotiate “a deception.”
“The US president saying ‘we are ready to negotiate with Iran’ and calling for negotiations is a deception aimed at misleading global public opinion,” the Leader told a group of students in Tehran.
Ayatollah Khamenei has also warned, “If the Americans or anyone else takes hostile action against the Iranian nation, they will receive a hard slap.”
Go deeper:
Tehran continues to enhance its domestically produced defensive capabilities, pointing to past confrontations with the U.S. in the 1980s Persian Gulf skirmishes as evidence of its resilience.
With tensions escalating once again, Iran’s latest display of military readiness signals that any potential U.S. aggression will not go unanswered.
Mojtaba Darabi
