Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, Major General Mohsen Rezaei, escalated the tone of threats directed at the United States, warning that any future military action against his country would be met with a “more severe” response, and stressing that American naval bases and vessels would be in the line of fire if a comprehensive confrontation broke out.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Rezaei considered that the American administration failed to estimate its ability to resolve the conflict, describing the continuation of the confrontation through the transition from bombing to naval blockade and economic pressure as evidence of “American inability and confusion.”
Rezaei stressed Tehran’s maximum readiness, pointing to the strengthening of its missile and defense arsenal and electronic warfare systems. He stressed that the air bases from which any enemy aircraft would take off, as well as the American ships present in the Indian Ocean if they did not leave the region, would be legitimate targets for his country.
In the context of reviewing military capabilities, the Iranian official revealed the development of anti-ship missiles, conducting a missile test near an American aircraft carrier, in addition to raising the speed of hypersonic missiles to range between Mach 6 and 10, and developing defensive and electronic systems.
On the political and field levels, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf, announced that his country will continue to close the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and American commitments are implemented.
Fars News Agency quoted Qalibaf as saying that Iran is adopting a strategy of “fighting and negotiating together,” stressing that Tehran relies on military force to deter opponents, and on diplomacy to achieve political gains at the appropriate time.
