IRGC Head asserts while Iran does not intend to initiate any conflict, it is prepared to deliver a firm response to any potential threats

On Sunday, Major General Hossein Salami addressed the situation following accusations from Washington, which alleged that Tehran has been aiding Yemen’s military in their recent operations against Israel. The U.S. has urged Iran to cease its purported support for the Ansarullah resistance movement.

Iran has asserted it will not instigate conflict but has vowed a strong and decisive retaliation if threatened, as stated by Salami.

The President of the United States has reiterated claims linking Iran to the activities of Yemen’s Ansarullah group, urging Iranian citizens to withdraw their backing for the resistance organization.

The IRGC chief emphasized Yemen’s sovereignty, highlighting that Yemenis are a self-governing and autonomous people on their own territory who implement their own policies. He affirmed that Iran unambiguously and transparently assumes accountability for its actions, regardless of their time or place of occurrence.

Salami emphasized, “Our nation does not operate in secret. Instead, we function as a legitimate and internationally recognized entity. Any military action or support we provide will be announced openly and clearly.”

On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump took to X to declare that he had directed the American military to initiate “decisive and powerful” operations against Yemen’s Ansarullah movement.

Reports indicate that recent American military actions have resulted in strikes on civilian areas in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a, as well as other locations across the country.

A series of extensive attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 18 civilians and left nearly 20 others injured, according to reports.

In November 2023, Yemen’s Armed Forces commenced attacks on strategic and sensitive locations within Israel in response to Tel Aviv’s initiation of a US-supported military campaign against the Gaza Strip. This campaign has intensified restrictions on the flow of essential food, medical supplies, and other critical resources into the region.

The recent Yemeni attacks, in conjunction with assaults on Israeli-owned and bound maritime vessels in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, have dealt a significant setback to the economic stability of the regime.

Authorities Deliver ‘Devastating’ Counteraction to Threats

During a solemn ceremony held on Saturday evening in Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan Province, dedicated to honoring the sacrifices made by the province’s martyrs, the chief commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stark warning. He declared that the Islamic Republic of Iran would deliver a “devastating” response to any potential threats against the nation.

General Salami affirmed the unwavering resolve of the Iranian nation in safeguarding its interests, values, identity, and legitimacy.

He affirmed that they would resolutely confront any threat posed to them and promised an extremely severe retaliation should such threats be executed, pledging a decisive, overwhelming, and destructive response.

“The adversary is committing the same errors as in the past and has not learned from its experiences in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Afghanistan, according to his statement. He further indicated that the persistence in this flawed approach is likely to result in ultimate defeat.”

Salami alleged that adversaries engage in duplicitous behavior by advocating for direct negotiations while concurrently making threats.

“This statement underscores a perceived lack of understanding of the Iranian nation by outside forces, suggesting a profound awareness and recognition of its adversaries by the Iranian people, who reportedly remain unpersuaded by what are described as shallow declarations,” he stated.

Salami stated that the United States was responsible for dismantling the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), subsequently adopting a more belligerent stance characterized by the imposition of pressure, sanctions, and threats.

Salami was alluding to the 2018 decision by then-President Donald Trump to unilaterally withdraw the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and subsequently impose a range of sanctions on Iran that were deemed illegal by the Islamic Republic.

Emphasizing the necessity of drawing lessons from historical experiences, he stated, “Failure to learn from the harsh lessons of the past will inevitably lead to their repetition.”

In an interview conducted by Fox News last week, former President Donald Trump asserted that he had dispatched a letter to Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. In the message, Trump purportedly urged Iran to initiate negotiations on a nuclear agreement, warning of potential military action should talks not proceed.

On Wednesday, Araghchi announced that he had received the letter through Anwar Gargash, who serves as the diplomatic adviser to the President of the United Arab Emirates.

On that same day, Ayatollah Khamenei dismissed President Trump’s proposal for negotiations as “a deception,” suggesting it is merely an attempt to portray Iran as unwilling to engage in talks.

He stated that Iran had engaged in negotiations with the United States over a span of several years, however, former President Donald Trump subsequently nullified and dismissed the finalized and signed agreements.