Islamic Republic at a Crossroads of 'Strategic Patience' or 'Severe Retaliation'; Commander of the Navy of the IRGC: We Act Neither Emotionally Nor Impulsively

Continuing the rhetoric of Islamic Republic officials and pausing at the crossroads of 'strategic patience' or 'severe retaliation', the commander of the Navy of the IRGC stated: 'We neither act emotionally nor impulsively, but anyone who hits us will face tenfold retaliation.' Alireza Tangsiri, in an interview with the Al-Mayadeen network in Lebanon, added: 'The attack on our consulate building in Damascus is considered an attack on our territory, and we will definitely respond to this action. We are not the type to be slapped and not retaliate; we will strike back decisively when the time is right.' Regarding the timing and manner of responding to the attack attributed to Israel and the killing of Quds Force commanders in Syria, he clarified: 'I cannot say what we will do, I can only say that we are ready and on alert, and anyone who casts a covetous eye on our country will be dealt with severely.' The commander of the Navy of the IRGC once again threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, saying: 'We have repeatedly stated that we will ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz, but if we want, we can close it. However, if the enemy comes and restricts us, then their decision will have future consequences.' Alireza Tangsiri previously claimed that the Iranian Navy did not have the permission or capability to control the Strait of Hormuz during the Pahlavi era, but after the 'Islamic Revolution', the naval forces of the Islamic Republic have become the dominant power in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, forcing the U.S. Navy to comply. He claimed at that time: 'Any ship or vessel that wants to pass through the Strait of Hormuz must introduce itself in Persian and declare its nationality, cargo, and destination to us, and if it does not do this, we will definitely pursue it.' These statements and 'playing with words' continue while a week has passed since the deadly attack attributed to Israel on the Islamic Republic's consulate building in Damascus, which resulted in the death of at least six Quds Force commanders, and the regime's leaders remain lost between the words 'severe retaliation' and 'strategic patience.' The National Security Advisor of the White House stated on Tuesday at a press conference, in response to a question about the U.S. readiness to counter any potential retaliatory action by the Islamic Republic following the attack attributed to Israel on its consulate in Damascus, that Washington's support for Israel is 'ironclad.' Jake Sullivan said: 'We are monitoring the public statements of Iranian officials and public reports of Iran's plans for potential retaliatory actions, and as the President told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. support for Israel's defense against threats from Iran and its proxy forces is 'ironclad.' He continued that he does not intend to publicly discuss operational details for countering these threats.