TEHRAN – Major General Mohammad Bagieri, chief of staff of the Iranian army, issued a harsh warning to the United States and pledged a critical response to an attack on the country’s sovereignty and interests.
Top generals declared on Sunday that Iran’s retaliation was “quick, crushed and irreversible,” emphasizing the country’s preparedness to counter the escalation of US military provocations in West Asia.
“From the moment Ayatollah, the leader of the Islamic Revolution, issued the orders of Ali Khamenei, the enemy will be raining in the shortest possible time,” said General. Bagheri said in a speech to the commander and staff of Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters in Tehran.
Emphasizing Iran’s defensive stance, he emphasized that “the Islamic Republic does not seek war, but will not accept coercion or bullying and will stand firm in such actions.”
The statement comes amidst the rising tensions promoted by Washington’s aggressive military stance in West Asia.
In recent weeks, the US has expanded its deployment of USS Truman and USS Vinson Career Strike Groups in the Persian Gulf, deploying B-2 stealth bombers at illegally occupied Diego Garcia base in the Chagos Archipelago, and strengthened forces at bases in the region surrounding Iran.
Analysts describe these moves as part of a broader campaign to threaten sovereign states to submit.
In response, Iranian troops are strengthening their defense preparations, and the Tehran Times reports that sophisticated missile systems developed within the country — housed in deep underground networks that have been immune to foreign strikes — are now fully operational.
Iran’s military preparations were further highlighted by recent inspections conducted by senior commanders.
Brigadier General Alireza Sabahi-Fard, head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Joint Air Defense Base, and General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, IRGC Aerospace Force Commander, recently evaluated the combat readiness of the southern coastal areas and islands.
“Our troops, especially air defense units, are now more prepared than ever to counter any threat,” Sabahiferd warned that the enemy’s “miscalculations meet a critical response.”
Last week, Hajizadeh warned US troops stationed in the area, saying, “People living in glass homes should not throw stones.”
The Aerospace Force Chief noted the vulnerability of 10 US regional bases and 50,000 troops near Iran, adding, “Our precise strike capabilities hold them accountable for their presence.”
“The leader’s response to Trump’s letter was strategic.”
General Bagheri also worked on a recent letter from President Donald Trump to Ayatollah Khamenei.
Tehran chose to respond to the letter. And while the exact contents of the letter remain private, Bagheri made it clear that Ayatollah Khamenei’s response outlined an outline of Iran’s principled position.
– Iran will not launch a conflict, but will fully retaliate against any threat.
– The nation seeks regional stability, rejects nuclear weapons and instead focuses on peaceful nuclear energy for the needs of civilians.
– Indirect diplomacy remains possible, but the in-person meeting with the US is off the table due to Washington’s history of abolishing its commitment.
“The wise and measured responses of the leaders exposed the United States as the most reliable party in negotiations,” Bagheli said.
The exchange follows months of escalating rhetoric from Washington. Since January, Trump has repeatedly threatened to “bomb Iran” unless he counters US demands. This is a violation of international law that is widely condemned as a reckless brink.
The US president has also accused Iran of “destabilizing” and signed a memorandum outlining plans to further narrow the economy by reviving sanctions and reducing oil exports to zero, further narrowing its economy by cutting the “maximum pressure” campaign launched in 2018 after Trump withdrew from 2015 nuclear deals in 2018.