Acting defense minister vows Iran will respond decisively to any ceasefire violation

Iran's acting defense minister has warned that the country's armed forces remain on high alert and will respond decisively to any violation of the current ceasefire, given Tehran's deep mistrust of the United States and its continued support for Israel.

Brigadier General Majid Ibn Reza made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Qatar's Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Tuesday, expressing appreciation for Doha's role in facilitating negotiations that led to the current ceasefire.

Reaffirming Iran's confidence in neighboring Muslim countries, particularly Qatar, General Ibn Reza said, “We trust our brothers, but we do not trust the enemy. Our fingers remain on the trigger, and without any doubt, if any provision of the ceasefire is violated, we will take the necessary and proportionate action and will respond accordingly.”

He slammed the US side for failing to adhere to the agreement, adding, “Unfortunately, the other side has violated its commitments on several occasions even during this short period.”

His remarks came after the country’s armed forces launched missile and drone operations against eight US military installations across the region overnight on Saturday in response to renewed attacks on Iranian territory.

The retaliatory operation came after the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had carried out new strikes on Iranian soil in response to what it claimed was the targeting of a commercial oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.

Referring to decades of tensions between Tehran and Washington, General Ibn Reza also stressed that Iran's distrust of the US is rooted in a long history of intervention and broken promises.

“We have a long experience of America's interference and breaches of commitments over the past six to seven decades, and the issues between Iran and the United States are rooted in historical distrust and this country's constant hostile behavior,” he said.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will never forget the assassination and martyrdom of its highest political and religious leader, military commanders, innocent people, and especially the schoolchildren of Minab. These crimes will remain forever in America's black record,” General Ibn Reza emphasized.

The acting defense chief also addressed regional security and maritime affairs, saying foreign military forces should have no role in the Persian Gulf.

“The Strait of Hormuz must not be exploited by extra-regional countries,” he said, stressing, “This region must not be exploited by extra-regional countries, and the presence of foreign forces is not only incapable of providing security, but it also increases misunderstanding, mistrust, and insecurity.”

General Ibn Reza’s remarks came after recent tensions surrounding the strategic waterway, through which a significant share of global energy supplies passes.

The latest regional escalation followed a US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran. It was brought to a halt by a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire, later followed by a memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington aimed at preventing further escalation.

'Decisive response': IRGC strikes eight US military installations after renewed American attacks

The IRGC says it launched a large-scale missile and drone operation against eight US military installations in the region in reprisal for renewed American aggression.

Iran’s acting defense chief stressed that lasting regional stability could only be achieved through cooperation among countries in the region rather than external military involvement, condemning the Israeli regime for carrying out attacks in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Qatar and Iran.

“US support has enabled the continued existence and growing audacity of the Zionist regime, whose very survival depends on creating crises and tensions in the region,” General Ibn Reza noted.

Reaffirming Tehran's willingness to deepen defense ties with neighboring states, particularly Qatar, he emphasized that the Tehran and Doha can discuss the development of regional security mechanisms.

“The more the defense and military cooperation between our two countries expands, the more mutual trust and the region's collective security will be strengthened,” General Ibn Reza stressed.

The two ministers concluded the conversation by emphasizing the expansion of bilateral defense relations and cooperation.

The developments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Tehran and Washington, under which the United States lifted its unlawful naval blockade on Iranian ports.

The 14-article MoU also requires the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor, provided that the US and its allies fully cease their military aggression against Iran and its regional allies, including Lebanon.

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