TEHRAN (Realist English). Iran’s top military commander warned on Saturday that any “adventurist” action against the Islamic Republic would result in a “strategic defeat” for its enemies and risk spreading war across the entire region.
Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, issued the warning in a message marking Air Force Day, addressed to Brigadier General Bahman Behmard, commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Air Force.
“The enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran are well aware that any adventure or attempt to impose war against Iran will not only lead to their absolute and strategic defeat, but will also cause the expansion of war and crisis throughout the region,” Mousavi said, according to Iranian media. He added that such actions would impose “heavy and irreparable” costs on those supporting an attack.
Mousavi said the Air Force plays a strategic role in Iran’s deterrence posture, particularly under current regional conditions following what he described as the Israeli-American “12-day imposed war” against Iran in June. He said the force has undergone continuous modernisation and now stands at its “highest level of readiness”.
“In full coordination with other branches of the armed forces, the Air Force is prepared to deliver a decisive, rapid and regrettable response to any threat, aggression or miscalculation by the enemy,” he said, while stressing that Iran would not initiate a war but would firmly defend its security, territorial integrity and vital interests.
The comments come amid heightened regional tensions following the deployment of additional US naval and air assets to the Middle East and renewed warnings from Washington over Iran’s nuclear programme. Iranian officials have repeatedly said that any US strike would trigger an immediate response and could ignite a wider regional conflict.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei echoed that message last week, warning that any war initiated by the United States against Iran would inevitably become regional in scope. “Threats and displays of military power will not intimidate the Iranian nation,” he said.
Tensions have eased slightly in recent days after Iranian and US diplomats held a new round of indirect talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme in Oman on Friday. Iranian officials described the discussions as a “good start” but cautioned that progress depends on lifting sanctions and maintaining a calm negotiating environment.
