Hajizadeh: The Enemy May Influence Political Officials

Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Aerospace Force of the IRGC, stated on Wednesday, March 10, that U.S. intelligence agencies have focused on the missile issue, saying that the 'enemy' may influence some political officials, leading to calls for the postponement of missile tests. According to Fars News, in an interview with the Islamic Republic News Network, he said, 'The Americans want to disable our defense capabilities through propaganda to weaken the Islamic Republic.' He noted that 'U.S. intelligence services have concentrated on the missile issue after the JCPOA,' adding, 'We are confident in the military and the IRGC, but the enemy may affect political officials, leading someone to suggest that if, for example, these tests are postponed, what will happen?' It remains unclear whether any Iranian political officials have called for the postponement of the IRGC's missile tests. However, Reuters reported that the IRGC's missile tests could indicate a deepening rift between hardliners and President Hassan Rouhani's government over normalizing relations with the international community. In another part of the interview, the commander stated that the recent military exercise began a week prior, and they only publicized it for two days, with observers requesting unexpected firings for testing and evaluation. Various types of missiles were used in this exercise. He added that in this exercise, they fired from the southernmost point of the country to the north and from the north and the Caspian Sea shores to the Makran shores in the south. Some of these missiles can carry one ton of TNT, and some can carry up to 24 warheads, capable of destroying an area of up to 2 kilometers. Hajizadeh also mentioned that Saudi Arabia attacked Yemen when it thought the country was weak, stating that if they are weak, they will have neither peace nor security, and that U.S. propaganda is aimed at this. In this context, Hossein Salami, deputy commander of the IRGC, commented on potential reactions to missile tests, stating that the more the enemy intensifies sanctions against them, the more they will enhance their missile capabilities. He added that if 'a resolution is issued against us, it is merely wishes written on paper, while Iran's advanced missiles are a reality on the ground.' Following the IRGC's missile tests on Tuesday, the U.S. and France stated that this action violates a United Nations Security Council resolution. In this context, several members of the U.S. Congress have called for new sanctions against Iran. Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also stated that new sanctions should be imposed on Iran in response to the missile tests. In related news, Clinton stated that Iran should be sanctioned for the missile tests, Kerry has 'discussed the new missile tests with Zarif,' Biden stated that if Iran's missile tests violate the JCPOA, action will be taken, an IRGC official stated that they designed a 2,000-kilometer missile for Israel, Paul Ryan stated that the U.S. Congress will work to intensify sanctions against Iran, and the U.S. will bring the new missile test case to the Security Council.