Rahmani Fazli: We Will Definitely Intervene if ISIS Approaches Iran's Borders

Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, Iran's Minister of Interior, stated that the Islamic Republic has "officially" informed Iraq that if the Islamic State group or ISIS approaches Iran's borders, "we will definitely intervene." According to a report from the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) on Tuesday, June 4, Mr. Rahmani Fazli added, "Our proximity to Iraq will certainly affect us, but so far, with the control we have over the country's borders, no incidents have occurred." The Minister stated that the Islamic State is currently present "within a range of 50 kilometers from Iran's borders" in Iraq. The Tasnim News Agency reported that 40 kilometers from Iran's borders is the point where if ISIS forces reach it, Iran will "definitely" intervene. In Esfand 1393 (March 2015), Ismail Ahmadi-Moqaddam, the then-commander of Iran's police, also mentioned that the Islamic State had previously advanced to 40 kilometers from Iran's border. Two days before Mr. Ahmadi-Moqaddam's statement, the commander of the Army's Ground Forces declared that a depth of 40 kilometers into Iraqi territory is Iran's red line for what he referred to as "terrorist" groups. Mr. Rahmani Fazli also expressed regret that "there is a basis for ISIS's activities in Afghanistan and Pakistan." The Iranian Minister of Interior criticized the United States, stating, "When America claims to command coalition forces, it must answer why its actions against this terrorist group have not been effective." Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, also stated, "If we neglect the situation, soon the threat of Takfiris and ISIS will reach our borders." According to Mr. Shamkhani, this group "may enter from Iraq to Khanqin and from Afghanistan to Zahedan." The statements of these two senior Iranian officials were made following remarks by Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, regarding the decisions of "enemies and some foolish officials in the Persian Gulf region" to "bring proxy wars to Iran's borders." Mr. Khamenei stated, "They should know that if any mischief occurs, Iran's response will be very severe." Following these remarks, Ahmadreza Pourdastan, the commander of the Army's Ground Forces, also stated that "Takfiri and terrorist groups" are currently "near Iran's borders," saying, "Today we see ISIS's footprints in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and they are preparing themselves." Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran, referred to ISIS as "a plague and a great calamity in the world" and stated, "For the health of the nation, we must quarantine our borders and help our neighboring country so that this cancer does not spread to our country."