Baqeri's Warning Against Military Aggression Towards Iran

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic announced that the likelihood of a military attack on Iran is 'very low' and that if such an attack were to occur, it would not be ground-based. According to Tasnim News Agency, Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, on Saturday, September 2, addressed air defense forces, stating, 'If we consider a low percentage chance that they might attack us, this attack would not be ground-based because in the case of a ground invasion, they would face brave warriors.' He mentioned that the Leader of the Islamic Republic pays 'special attention' to air defense and calls for more investment in this branch of Iran's armed forces. Baqeri threatened that an attack on Iran would incur 'significant costs' for the aggressors and that they 'cannot even limit the battlefield to the borders of the Islamic Republic.' Previously, the Leader of the Islamic Republic and military commanders have repeatedly threatened that in the event of a military attack by the United States on Iran, the Islamic Republic would jeopardize the interests of the United States and its allies in other countries. On July 17, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran extended this threat further, stating that 'equating the IRGC with terrorist groups and imposing similar sanctions is a significant risk for Americans and their bases and forces in the region.' Two days later, the commander of the IRGC threatened that if this organization were sanctioned by the United States, America would have to withdraw its regional bases up to a thousand kilometers from Iran. Close associates of the Leader of the Islamic Republic have mentioned attacks on U.S. allies, including Israel, as potential actions by Iran in the event of an attack. For instance, Yahya Rahim Safavi, a military advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reported on July 23 that Hezbollah in Lebanon was ready to launch missiles towards Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated last week in a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Iran has established a precision missile production facility in Syria and Lebanon. On the other hand, the Israeli site 'Ynet' reported on September 27 that the Prime Minister of Lebanon was trying to prevent the establishment of an Iranian missile factory in Lebanon. However, Saad Hariri, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, denied these claims in an interview with Le Monde on September 1. Barack Obama, during his presidency and prior to the Vienna nuclear agreement, repeatedly stated regarding the possibility of an attack on Iran that 'all options are on the table.' Meanwhile, Hassan Rouhani and his government members have repeatedly stated that the Vienna nuclear agreement 'lifted the shadow of war from Iran.' On July 27, the Associated Press reported, citing senior U.S. officials, that Donald Trump, the President of the United States, was seeking discussions with European countries to establish a new agreement that could prevent the development of Iran's nuclear program even after the expiration of the JCPOA. According to this report, the U.S. President is also attempting to inspect 'suspicious' military sites in Iran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson described this issue as an 'unfulfilled dream' and 'a joke,' while Ali Akbar Velayati, the international affairs advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Republic, labeled these reports as 'nonsense and exaggeration.' The Trump administration also emphasizes that Iran's missile program and the activities of the Quds Force violate the spirit of the nuclear agreement, as under this agreement, Iran is supposed to participate in creating peace and stability in the region and globally. Previously, on June 15, the U.S. Senate passed a bill known as the 'Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act' with a decisive majority. This bill referred to Iran's ballistic missile program as a threat. This bill, after being reviewed in the House of Representatives and the Senate, and adding new restrictions against Russia and North Korea, became known as the comprehensive sanctions law against Iran, Russia, and North Korea, imposing mandatory sanctions on any individual and entity related to Iran's ballistic missile program as well as trading partners with this program. In response, the Iranian parliament, in a public session on August 13, approved the details of a bill known as 'Countering U.S. Adventurism and Terrorism' in retaliation for U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran with 240 votes from 247 present members. In the same context, the Leader of Iran appointed Abdolrahim Mousavi as the commander of the Islamic Republic Army.