The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)’s naval forces says the Islamic Republic will teach a painful lesson to enemies in case they launch any act of aggression against the country.
Brigadier General Alireza Tangsiri made the remarks in a Monday tour of four Iranian islands near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which include the Lesser and Greater Tunbs in addition to Abu Mousa and Siri islands.
“If the enemy takes any foolish measure to foment sedition or carry out an act of aggression against the Islamic establishment, we will respond in a way that would teach them and their allies a painful lesson and will nip that plot in the bud,” Tangsiri said.
He added that the IRGC naval forces, which are deployed in the islands and along the operational routes of the elite force, maintain their combat readiness at the highest level in order to be able to carry out the most difficult missions at any time.
The senior Iranian commander said the neighboring countries in the region enjoy the capability to ensure security in the important Persian Gulf region, emphasizing, "There is no need at all for the presence of foreign countries who want to be here with the justification of providing security."
Tangsiri's remarks came a day after Head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations Kamal Kharrazi told the Al Jazeera news network that Tehran will respond in kind to any measure against its national security from any neighboring country, in a veiled reference to the states that have normalized their relations with the Israeli regime.
“Targeting our security from neighboring countries will be met with a response to those countries and a direct response to Israel,” he said.
Tehran has emphasized that it pursues a policy of improving relations with neighboring countries, while at the same time making it clear that the countries, which are normalizing their relations with Israel and allowing the occupying regime to establish a foothold in the region, are betraying the Palestinian cause and bringing instability to the region.