Mohammad Hossein Baqeri Accuses America of Planning an Attack on Iran

Despite Trump administration officials repeatedly stating that they are not seeking 'regime change in Iran' or 'military intervention against Iran', a senior military official of the Islamic Republic claimed to have 'reliable information' on the matter. Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, claimed in a speech on Sunday, July 31, that the U.S. government has intended to carry out a 'military invasion' of Iran over the past year and a half. According to ISNA, Baqeri stated without providing evidence that although the current U.S. administration does not openly speak of military threats, 'there is reliable information that in this past year and a half, they have been trying to force the U.S. military into attacks.' He also mentioned that U.S. military officials have stated this twice without providing details or evidence. U.S. officials have repeatedly said they are only 'seeking to change the behavior of the Iranian government' and have warned the Islamic Republic about its nuclear activities and actions in the region. For instance, about a month ago, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Iran not to pursue nuclear weapons, as otherwise it would face the 'wrath of the entire world.' Pompeo also expressed hope that there would never be a need for military action against Iran. Before the U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA, several analysts suggested that the Trump administration would face one of two scenarios: either attack Iran to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons or accept a nuclear Iran. However, just hours after the U.S. President officially announced the withdrawal from the nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic and the imposition of new sanctions, National Security Advisor John Bolton emphasized that this action 'is not a precursor to military confrontation with Iran.' In recent years, reports have emerged regarding Israel's intention to attack Iran before the Vienna nuclear agreement. In recent weeks, threats from Iranian officials regarding responses to a potential U.S. attack on Iran have increased. Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated on Sunday, 'Enemies must understand well that war with Iran is the mother of all wars, and peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, and we have never feared threats and will respond to threats with threats.' Baqeri also attributed economic problems to the 'enemy', stating that the creation of these problems is 'at the forefront of enemy pressure', although he acknowledged that 'various other types of threats' may also exist. Concurrently, Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of the Revolutionary Guard, accused the U.S., Israel, Saudi Arabia, the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization, and monarchists of spending resources to 'develop insecurity in the country' and claimed they had 'many plans in July and August.' Iranian officials had previously attributed the organization of nationwide protests last December to these countries and groups, a claim that was denied by the U.S., Israel, and Saudi Arabia. In recent months, the head and spokesperson of the judiciary have warned the U.S. and Israel about 'exploiting' protests and threatened to deal with protests that 'disturb the security of the country.'