TEHRAN (Dispatches) – Iran’s Army commander Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi on Sunday warned that the country’s reaction to any military attack would not be confined to defense alone and involve a devastating strike.
Addressing a military ceremony in the northwestern city of Tabriz, the general stressed the need for bolstering combat readiness and offensive power.
"We have not been and will not be the first side to start a war; however, we will not solely rely on defense,” the commander said.
"Initially, we would start with defense upon the launch of an attack by the enemy, but our offensive power and capability to deal blows after the attack by the aggressors would be devastating and make them repentant,” he added.
The general said Iran’s military power has grown remarkably in comparison to the years of the Iraqi-imposed war in the 1980s, adding the Army will vigorously protect the Iranian nation and its cause.
Iranian military and political officials have repeatedly warned the enemies against the dire consequences of a military action against the Islamic Republic.
In comments in April 2018, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the U.S. is aware of the crushing response it will have to face in case of taking any military action against Iran.
"The era of hit and run is now over, and the U.S. knows that if it initiates any military action against Iran, it will receive much harsher blows,” Ayatollah Khamenei underlined.