Pordestan: ISIS has threatened that the options after France are Russia and Iran

The commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Forces on Monday, November 25, referred to the recent threats from the Islamic State (ISIS) following the Paris bombings, stating: "ISIS has threatened that the options after France are Russia and Iran, and in this regard, the Iraqi Foreign Minister also issued a necessary warning, but the Islamic Republic of Iran's army declares that it is not afraid of these threats." He referred to the statements of Ibrahim al-Jaafari, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, who said on Saturday that his country's intelligence agencies have obtained information indicating that "terrorists" intend to carry out new attacks in France, the United States, and Iran. According to the Tasnim news agency, Ahmadreza Pordestan, the commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Forces, who was speaking during a visit to the Mohammad Rasulullah 3 military exercise in eastern Iran, added: "In Diyala, Iraq, a 40-kilometer red line has also been drawn, and while strengthening the forces under our command, we issued a severe warning that if any action is taken, it will be met with a decisive and crushing response from the armed forces of Iran, similar to what we did in Afghanistan." Ahmadreza Pordestan stated: "Today, part of ISIS is in northern Afghanistan and is interested in approaching the borders of Iran, but the Iranian nation can be assured that their children in the army, the IRGC, and law enforcement are ready." Pordestan emphasized: "Before the enemy reaches the border, its actions will be neutralized, and ISIS can be assured that if it makes the slightest mistake, it will face a swift and crushing response from Iran." He clarified: "Advisory missions are currently under the control of the IRGC's Quds Force, but the army is ready to cooperate if necessary." The commander of the army's ground forces concluded by issuing a serious warning to those who harbor foolish thoughts that any foolish action against Iran will be met with a serious and crushing response from the armed forces of this country. On the same day, the Iranian Minister of Interior also stated that although "there are no concerning issues at the borders," we are "monitoring all threats" and "if we feel that developments in Iraq lead to a threat to Iran's borders, we will definitely act." According to the IRNA news agency, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli made these remarks on Monday, November 25, at a press conference in response to the Iraqi Foreign Minister's statements two days earlier regarding the ISIS threat against Iran. The Iranian Minister of Interior also announced a "comprehensive plan" to "strengthen security and protect the internal security domain of the country, from the borders to various points in the country." He did not provide further details about this "comprehensive plan" but mentioned that Iran is ready to "share its experiences with other countries in the security domain." Mahmoud Alavi, the Iranian Minister of Intelligence, stated on Sunday, November 24, that the Beirut explosions and the recent attacks in Paris are a "serious warning" for Iran that must be "taken seriously by experts." Meanwhile, the Minister of Intelligence reported last week the arrest of "more than 30 terrorist operatives" in various parts of Iran. Some Iranian officials have stated that the perpetrators of attacks such as the armed attack in Dezful on the day of Ashura were financed by a foreign country. Iran had previously strongly denied some reports claiming the sighting of individuals with vehicles and black flags in some parts of the country. However, the Iranian Minister of Intelligence said on Sunday that "in some provinces, individuals forcibly took citizens' vehicles and killed them, demanding they carry out terrorist operations." Iranian officials had previously stated that they had made it clear to ISIS leaders that if they approached 40 kilometers from the Iranian border in Iraqi territory, Iran would take action. According to Iranian media, Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani, the head of Iran's judiciary, stated last week that Iran's advisory assistance in Syria is important for Iran's internal security, and without this presence, the country's internal security would be threatened. The attention of Iranian officials in discussions with domestic media regarding the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) has increased in recent days following the attacks on Friday in Paris. Meanwhile, Mohammad Ismail Kowsari, a member of the Defense Committee of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, who was previously a senior commander of the IRGC, sarcastically told French officials on Saturday, "If France cannot ensure the security of its people against ISIS, it should leave it to Iranian advisors."