Wednesday, October 31, 2007

IRGC Warns of Prolonged War

IRGC Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari today warned US it would find itself in a “quagmire” deeper than Iraq if it attacked the Islamic Republic. Gen. Jafari told a military parade in Tehran that if the US attacks Iran, they will have to withdraw with defeat (IRNA, 31 October).

In the past few days, the Iranian military and political leaders have increasingly been warning of a US military attack on Iran. Foreign ministry spokesman made similar remarks as the IRGC commander during a news conference in Tehran.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Tuesday in Tehran. Lavrov told reporters after the meeting that he encouraged Iranian leaders to undertake more active cooperation with IAEA to clear up questions on Iran’s nuclear program.

Lavrov's visit coincided with talks in Tehran between officials from Iran and the IAEA. The IAEA Chief Mohammad ElBaradei will make an all-important report on Iran’s nuclear program in mid-November. ElBaradei report will weigh heavily on any future UN sanctions against Iran.

No comments: