Iran warns of 'offensive and destructive' phase if US war continues
Tehran, July 18
A top Iranian military adviser warned that if the United States continues the war against Iran for another two to three days, the country will enter an "offensive and destructive" phase.
Mohsen Rezaei, military adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, said in an interview with state-run IRIB TV that the policy of "both war and negotiation" has ended, adding that if US attacks continue, Iran's armed forces will no longer limit themselves to retaliatory strikes, and US bases and forces will no longer be safe within any political borders, Xinhua news agency reported.
Rezaei said Iran has so far exercised restraint to prevent the war from expanding into a broader regional and international crisis, accusing the United States of miscalculating by turning the war into a regional one.
He warned that if the United States continues its anti-Iran actions, Iran will deploy additional military capabilities, including ground forces, and the war's scope will expand.
Rezaei also called on the peoples of regional countries, including Kuwait, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, to help prevent further escalation.
He noted that even at the current stage, Iran's responses to the US attacks have been "very heavy," warning that the intensity of Iranian military operations will increase in the coming days.
"The United States must wait for expanded waves of missile and drone attacks," Rezaei said, cautioning Washington against any ground operation against Iran.
Meanwhile, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Friday that Iranian forces targeted a "violating" vessel in the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the day.
Citing an informed military source, Tasnim said that the Thai-flagged vessel attempted to cross the strait without obtaining necessary permissions from the Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps and ignored warnings.
Over the past several days, the US military has launched multiple waves of strikes against Iran's southern provinces, claiming that the attacks are in response to the Iranian armed forces' targeting of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, and aimed at "degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping."
Iran has responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting US military bases and facilities across the region.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Iran's warning is clear—they won't back down. The US has been poking this hornet's nest for too long. As an Indian, I hope our government stays neutral and focuses on evacuating Indian citizens from the region if needed.
This is terrifying. Iran targeting a Thai-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz shows how unstable things are. The Strait is a lifeline for global trade, including India's. Why can't world leaders just sit down and talk? 💔
I think Iran's point about restraint is valid—they've held back to avoid a regional war. But the US seems intent on escalating. These drone and missile attacks are a dangerous game. As someone who lived through the Gulf War, I can tell you: no one wins here.
From a Western perspective, I'm worried about the humanitarian cost. Iran's people are suffering under sanctions, and now this war. The US needs to stop its aggression. India has a good relationship with both countries—maybe they can mediate? 🤔
Iran's call to Gulf nations like Kuwait and UAE is interesting. They're asking them to help prevent escalation, but those countries host US bases. It's a tricky position. India must ensure our diaspora in these areas is safe.
S We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.