Iran Warns U.S. of ‘Fiercest’ Response to Any Provocation

Date: 04 April 2020 - 00:06

News ID: ۷۷۲۷۲

TEHRAN (Dispatches) – The head of the Iranian armed forces has warned that any U.S. provocation would be met with the "fiercest” possible response after President Donald Trump accused Tehran of preparing a "sneak attack” against American forces in Iraq.
Major General Muhammad Hussein Baqeri said Thursday that Iran stands ready to defend itself against any kind of action.
Baqeri warned U.S. leaders that "ill will against our country’s security” or the slightest move against Tehran would prompt "our fiercest reactions.” Baqeri also said his forces are "closely monitoring the activities and moves of Americans” in the Persian Gulf region.
Tensions between Tehran and Washington have remained high throughout Trump’s time in office. Since the president withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, his administration has been re-imposing most draconian sanctions on Iran.
The animosity dragged the two sides to the brink of war in January when the U.S. assassinated Major General Qassem Soleimani, who headed up the Quds Force.
In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missile strikes on Iraqi military bases housing American troops, wounding more than 100 soldiers.
Sporadic attacks against U.S. and allied interests have continued in Iraq. Last month, for example, two Americans and a Briton were killed in a rocket attack on a base north of Baghdad.
Baqeri said recent attacks on American interests in Iraq are a "normal reaction by the Iraqi people and resistance forces against U.S. ‘satanic measures,’” including the assassination of Gen. Soleimani. Baqeri, however, stressed that such attacks have nothing to do with Iran.
He added, "Americans are well aware that the people of the region and the dear people of Iraq are opposed to their military presence in these countries and it is their normal reaction.”
Trump said Wednesday that his administration had information suggesting that "Iran or its proxies are planning a sneak attack on U.S. troops and/or assets in Iraq.” The president did not provide any evidence, but nonetheless warned, "If this happens, Iran will pay a very heavy price, indeed!”
Iranian foreign minister, Muhammad Javad Zarif, hit back, tweeting: "Don’t be misled by usual warmongers,” adding that "Iran has FRIENDS: No one can have MILLIONS of proxies. Unlike the US which surreptitiously lies, cheats & assassinates.”
Esmail Gha’ani, the head of Iran’s expeditionary Quds force, started a visit to Baghdad this week, the first since his predecessor Gen. Soleimani was martyred by the U.S.
The confrontation comes as the president finds himself under growing domestic pressure to relax sanctions on Iran, with senior Democrats in Congress backing the call, as well as the former deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes, and media such as the New York Times and the Washington Post.

IRGC: Slightest Mistake
Will Be Last

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) warned on Tuesday that the "slightest mistake” by the "vicious and adventurous enemies” against the Islamic Republic at any spot would be their last one.
In a statement marking the Islamic Republic Day, the IRGC voiced its full preparedness to confront all the enemies’ plots in different sectors and said it would proceed more firmly with the strategies of active resistance and the expansion of Iran’s deterrent capacity.
"The decisive and destructive responses of the Islamic Revolution Front will be unbelievable and will not even give the enemies the

opportunity to express their regret,” the IRGC said.
It added that the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation have continued their progress towards modern Islamic civilization over the past 41 years since the victory of the Islamic Revolution despite plots and evil schemes of the arrogant system aimed at containing, restraining and blocking this movement forward.
The IRGC added that the Islamic Republic has influenced the geography of humanity through its discourse based on justice and the fight against arrogance, marginalizing the arrogant powers’ front, particularly the dictatorial, terrorist and Zionist regime of the United States in strategic international developments.
The IRGC said the fact that the Islamic Revolution’s spiritual message has touched the hearts of freedom-seeking youths heralds a promising future, which would see humanity break free from evil and anti-human powers such as the deceitful American regime.
The IRGC issued the statement on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of a historic referendum in which voters overwhelmingly endorsed the establishment of the Islamic Republic following the fall of the U.S.-backed Pahlavi regime.