IRGC Commander Calls Israeli Attacks 'Failed' but Threatens 'Severe Consequences'

Two days after Israel's attack on the positions of the Islamic Republic in Iran, and speculation about the military response of the Islamic Republic, Hossein Salami, the commander of the IRGC, claimed in a statement on Monday, October 7, that the 'country's air defense readiness' led to the 'failure' and 'miscalculation' of the Israeli airstrikes. According to state media, Salami continued the rhetoric of Islamic Republic officials over the past two days, threatening that 'this failure will have severe and unpredictable consequences for the occupiers.' In another message to Ahmadreza Radan, the commander of the Islamic Republic's police, regarding military clashes in the Taftan region of Sistan and Baluchestan province, he emphasized that 'the timing of this action with the operations of the Zionist regime indicates the coordination of Iran's internal and external enemies.' The claim of 'failure' by Israel from Islamic Republic officials comes as the Israeli army announced that it targeted facilities used for manufacturing missiles employed in attacks by the Islamic Republic against Israel. David Albright, a former UN weapons inspector, and Decker Elet, a researcher at the American think tank CNA, stated to Reuters, based on satellite images, that facilities used for mixing solid fuel for missiles at the military site of Parchin were targeted in the Israeli attack. Various global media reported yesterday based on satellite images detailing the damages inflicted by the Israeli attacks on Islamic Republic military positions. Prior to this, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic called for a response to Israel, stating: 'The quality of conveying the power and will of the Iranian nation to the Zionist regime must be determined by the officials, and what is in the interest of this nation and country must be done.' This is the first reaction from the Supreme Leader regarding the recent conflict with Israel, and before Khamenei, both the Foreign Minister and the Speaker of Parliament had announced a response to the Israeli attacks. The Kayhan newspaper, managed under Ali Khamenei, wrote in its Sunday issue that 'the aggression against Islamic Iran' 'must not go unanswered.' Kayhan emphasized: 'Iran's response to this aggression must be much more devastating than the destructive and powerful Operation Promise 2, and to achieve and operationalize this objective, we are also equipped with the necessary capabilities and readiness.' Following speculation about the Islamic Republic's response to these attacks, Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, warned the Islamic Republic on Saturday in a statement to refrain from any reaction to the Israeli attacks on the military facilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In the early hours following the attack on the Islamic Republic's positions, U.S. President Joe Biden also ordered all efforts to protect American forces in the region and assist in defending Israel against potential responses from the Islamic Republic and its proxy groups. The Israeli army announced on Saturday morning, November 5, coinciding with sunrise in Iran, that 'precise and targeted' attacks on Islamic Republic military objectives in various regions of Iran had concluded and that Israeli aircraft successfully returned to their bases. So far, the Islamic Republic army has confirmed the deaths of at least four military personnel of the Iranian government. According to Iranian media, the death of one civilian has also been confirmed. The U.S. supported Israel's approach in Gaza ceasefire negotiations. Experts: Israel's military operations have rendered the IRGC's rhetoric ineffective. Hossein Aghaei, a researcher, stated that the Islamic Republic has 'completely' lost its deterrent power. An Israeli general stated: 'We attacked the Islamic Republic's strategic systems.' Gallant regarding the 'precise' attack on the Islamic Republic: 'Nowhere is far for Israel.' Reports: Israel has 'broken the backbone' of the Islamic Republic's missile industry. Satellite images show destruction of structures in 'Parchin and Khajir' due to the Israeli attack. Netanyahu stated that Israel struck a 'precise and powerful' blow to the air defense and missile production capabilities of the Iranian government. Ali Khamenei stated that the Israeli attack 'should not be underestimated.'