While fully prepared, Iran not after initiating regional war: Top general

The chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces says while the Islamic Republic stands fully prepared to deliver a decisive, swift, and regret-inducing response to any act of aggression, it has no intention of starting a regional war.

“While we are prepared, we have no intention of starting a war in the region,” Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi said on Sunday, addressing a group of Iranian commanders and servicemen of the Army’s Air Force and Air Defense Force during a ceremony on the occasion of the Iranian Air Force Day.

“Although the targets of a regional war would be the aggressors, it would nonetheless set back the region’s progress and development for years, and the United States and the Zionist regime, as the warmongers, will be held responsible for its repercussions,” he said.

He underlined that Iran enjoys both the prowess and necessary preparations for a long-term war with the United States.

It yet welcomes logical openings for negotiations without unreasonable preconditions, the general stated.

Iran’s deterrence power strengthened after ballistic missile upgrades: Top general

Iran’s top military official says the country managed to boost its deterrence power by enhancing domestically-manufactured ballistic missiles.

General Mousavi said the Iranian nation has witnessed US atrocities, treacheries, deceptions, bullying, greed, domination-seeking, and inhumane desire for swallowing Iran over the past 47 years.

“All these have made this generation more serious, determined, capable, and resolute in standing up against this wicked enemy,” he noted.

Earlier, the top commander warned of Iran’s devastating response to hostile actions, stressing that any attempt to impose war on the country would end in certain failure.

He noted in a message issued on Saturday that the Iranian Air Force is currently at the highest level of preparedness and, in full coordination with other branches of the Armed Forces, is ready to confront any form of threat or aggression with a firm and forceful response.

The general also stated that Iran would never initiate a war, but stressed that it would not hesitate for a moment to decisively defend its national security, vital interests, and territorial integrity.

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